2019 Korea Open: Parupalli Kashyap bows out in the semi-final

India's hopes at the Korea Open Super 500 end as Parupalli Kashyap bows out to World no. 1 Japanese Kento Momota 13-21, 15-21 in the semi-finals on Saturday in Incheon.

A series of unforced errors in the opening game by the Indian took the Japanese to a lead of 2-5. Kashyap tried to regain his composure back and at the interval, the scoreline stood at 6-10. Momota went on to build a six-point lead at 8-14. Kashyap's errors continued which gave his opponent an eight-point lead and eventually the game.

Momota had a commanding start in the second game, showing his prowess in all corners of the court with a variety of shots. Kashyap trailed 2-8 to pick up a quick point in his stride. However, he went on to win five successive points till 7-9. A series of strong rallies took Kashyap to 12-12. But Momota pulled off a dominating show to take it to 19-13 and won the match.

This was the third-ever encounter between the two which took the head-to-head record to 3-0 in Momota's favour. The reigning world champion Japanese will face world no. 2 Chou Tien-Chen of Chinese Taipei in the final on Sunday.

2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Parupalli Kashyap became only the third Indian to reach the semifinals of the Korea Open Super 500 after Ajay Jayaram (2015) and PV Sindhu (2017). Kashyap achieved the feat after defeating former top Danish shuttler Jan Jorgensen in the quarter-finals. This was Kashyap's second semi-final this year after Indian Open.