Japan Masters Badminton 2023: HS Prannoy Loses In Second Round, Indian Challenge Ends

Asian Games 2023 bronze medallist HS Prannoy lost to Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in the second round of Japan Masters 2023. No Indian remains in contention at the tournament now

PTI

Updated on: 16 November 2023 12:49 pm

File image of HS Prannoy.

Indian shuttler HS Prannoy lost a closely-fought second round match against Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei to bow out of the Japan Masters Super 500 badminton tournament in Kumamoto on Thursday.?(Badminton News)

The Asian Games bronze medallist Indian, who returned to action after recovering from a back injury, squandered an opening game advantage to lose 21-19 16-21 19-21 to world no. 12 Chen in a 73-minute men's singles match that went down the wire.

Prannoy's defeat brought curtains on India's campaign at the tournament.

The world number 8 Indian looked in control in the first game as he opened up a 4-0 lead and managed to stay 11-8 ahead at the break.

Chen kept fighting to keep himself close but Prannoy sealed the opening game.

Chen got his act together after the opening reversal and took 5-0 lead quickly. Though Prannoy managed to draw parity at 10-10, Chen reeled off four quick points to create a gap, which the Indian couldn't bridge.

The Chinese Taipei player carried the momentum in the decider, leading 12-4 at one stage. Soon Prannoy produced his trademark fightback to slowly and steadily draw parity at 19-19.

Chen, however, recovered in the nick of time to win the decider 21-19 and pocket the match.