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 7:37 AM GMT
Game 2: Yang levels
Yang is here to stay. Prannoy plays his flat smash into the net. It is 16-16 in the second game.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:36 AM GMT
Game 2: Prannoy remains on top
Prannoy replies with a smash to Yang's left, his playing hand. He now has a 16-15 lead in the second game. Chinese supporters are not happy with the chair umpire's call.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:34 AM GMT
Game 2: Yang levels game
With a flat smash from the net into Prannoy's body, Yang levels the parity in the second game. It is 15-15.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:34 AM GMT
Game 2: Yang is making errors
Prannoy makes it 14-13. He draws Yang close to the net. The Chinese's desperation to earn points see him hitting the net.
Prannoy is now leading 15-13.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:32 AM GMT
Game 2: Prannoy extends lead
A drop shot from Prannoy. Both players have engaged in net dribble. But it is Prannoy who makes the most out of it, taking a 13-11 lead.
But Yang is now focusing on the placement of the shuttle. Prannoy struggles to connect Yang's return to his backhand. Yang is trailing by one point now.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:29 AM GMT
Game: Misjudgement from Prannoy
Prannoy misjudges Yang's lift. Sideline umpire says 'in'. The Chinese player follows it with an 180-degree backhand return to trail 10-11 in the game.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:28 AM GMT
Game 2: Prannoy leads at the interval
Yang plays an irretrievable flick into the net to give Prannoy a 10-8 lead in the second game.
Prannoy takes an 11-8 lead at the interval with a jump smash.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:26 AM GMT
Game 2: Prannoy takes lead
Yang's crosscourt smash goes wide; Prannoy takes an 8-7 lead in the match and makes it 9-8 with a smash.
Yang makes it 8-9 not letting Prannoy a return.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:24 AM GMT
Game 2: Prannoy levels 7-7
Prannoy gets a lift and sends down a crosscourt smash to make it 6-7.
And then his relentless retrievals see Yang playing into the net. Prannoy draws 7-7 level.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:22 AM GMT
Game 2: Prannoy trails Yang
Yang's fluid movement and control at the net have given him a 6-3 lead.
Prannoy replies with two points. Yet, Yang maintains a 7-5 lead over Prannoy as the latter has hit the net.
