Badminton
Australian Open Final HIGHLIGHTS: HS Prannoy loses 90-minute thriller against Weng Hong Yang - Scores, updates, blog
Catch the highlights of the Australian Open Super 500 men's singles final between HS Prannoy and Weng Hong Yang from Sydney.
FILE PHOTO: HS Prannoy of India faces Weng Hong Yang of China in the Australian Open Super 500 men's singles final in Sydney on August 6, 2023. (Photo credit: HS Prannoy/Twitter)
HS Prannoy lost a gruelling 90-minute thriller against world no. 24 Weng Hong Yang in the Australian Open men's singles final at the State Sports Centre in Sydney on Sunday.
With both players being cheered by a boisterous crowd - featuring both Indian and Chinese in the audience, they put up a remarkable display of badminton.
Yang won the opening set 21-9, but Prannoy drew level at 23-21 in the second game, with the match crossing an hour mark.
In the second 30 odds minutes, Prannoy led most of the game before Yang made a turnaround of luck to save Prannoy's championship point before drawing an error from the Indian to win his maiden World Tour title.
This was Prannoy and Hong Yang's second meeting. Their previous meeting at the Malaysia Masters final also went into a three-setter, and Prannoy won that in 94 minutes.
Follow highlights:
Live Updates
- 6 Aug 2023 8:11 AM GMT
Game 3: Prannoy wins a longer rally
Prannoy wins a win. He shows better judgement. Yang's lift goes wide. It is 16-11 for Prannoy in the 3rd game.
- 6 Aug 2023 8:09 AM GMT
Game 3: Prannoy hits wide
A point for Yang. Prannoy hits wide. It is 10-15 for Yang.
Yang earns one more point to make it 11-15.
- 6 Aug 2023 8:08 AM GMT
Game 3: Prannoy gains 5 points lead
Yang hits a soft return into the net. Prannoy now has a massive 5 points lead. It is 14-9 for Prannoy.
Yang is real trouble. Prannoy follows it up with a jump smash. It is 15-9 for Prannoy.
- 6 Aug 2023 8:07 AM GMT
Game 3: Prannoy resumes with a point
Prannoy resumes with a smash and earns a 12-8 lead.
Yang makes it up with a point, but he continues to trail 13-9.
- 6 Aug 2023 8:06 AM GMT
Prannoy leads 11-8 at an interval
Prannoy marches to an 11-8 lead at the interval. Coach Gopichannd is providing Prannoy with crucial inputs during the break.
Yang has been warned again for wasting time. It is a delaying tactic from Yang. The chair umpire is not impressed.
- 6 Aug 2023 8:04 AM GMT
Game 3: Prannoy maintains two points lead
Prannoy breaks away to a 9-7 lead in the match. We have already crossed the hour mark in the match.
Prannoy extends his lead to 10-7
Yang replies with a kill net smash. It is 8-10 for him.
- 6 Aug 2023 8:01 AM GMT
Game 3: Prannoy opens up two points lead
A patient play from Prannoy. Yang tries to smash over the net, but he ends up hitting the net hard. It is 8-6 lead for Prannoy.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:58 AM GMT
Game 3: Prannoy on top
A mighty smash from Prannoy. It lands in the far back corner. It is 5-3 for Prannoy in the decider.
Yet another smash. Prannoy opens up a 6-3 lead.
Yang replies with a crosscourt-spinning smash. It is 4-6 in the third game.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:57 AM GMT
Game 3: Neck-to-neck battle
An unforced error from Prannoy. He is controlling the game, but Yang's quick reflexed returns mean he is forced to return the shuttle into the net. It is 3-4 for Yang.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:55 AM GMT
Game 3: Yang trails Prannoy
Yang's crossed flick goes wide, and Prannoy takes 4-2 lead in the third game.
