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 7:19 AM GMT
Game 2: Prannoy reduces Yang's lead
Prannoy's retrievals are earning points. He has set up Yang for a mighty smash. The Indian reduces Yang's lead to 3-4.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:18 AM GMT
Game 2: Prannoy is fighting
Two points for Prannoy. He finds a perfect length and sends an angled smash to Yang's backhand.
But Yang finds a way to stay on top of Prannoy. The Chinese player leads 4-2 in the second game.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:17 AM GMT
Game 2: Yang starts a net smash
Yang opens up a 2-0 lead in the second game. His first point has come from a reflexed return and the next one due to Prannoy's misjudgement at the backcourt.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:14 AM GMT
Yang wins the opening game
Yang is on game point. Prannoy is erratic, and he hits the net and then sends the shuttle to concede the game to Yang.
Yang wins the opening game 21-9.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:11 AM GMT
Game 1: Yang sends a straight smash
Prannoy has no answer to Yang's straight smash. The Chinese shuttler is winning points easily. He is now leading 18-8 in the opening game.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:09 AM GMT
Game 1: Yang takes eight points lead
Prannoy breaks Yang's seven-point streak. He replies with two points, but Yang's perfect transition to the frontcourt means Prannoy is struggling. And the Chinese is fetching winners. Yang leads 15-8.
A long rally. Prannoy sends a toss. Yang is in a perfect position and he sends down a crosscourt smash.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:07 AM GMT
Game 1: Yang gains eight points lead
Prannoy hits his return wide. Yang follows it up with yet another point at the net. He is struggling and Yang extends his lead to 14-6.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:05 AM GMT
Game 1: Yang leads at the break
A tight start to the match. Yang's high lift ends on the edge of Prannoy's backcourt. It is 6-7.
Yang extends the lead to 9-6.
Yang gets a perfect length to draw a point from a smash from the back corner. He now leads 10-6.
And Yang gains an 11-6 lead over Prannoy at the break.
- 6 Aug 2023 7:02 AM GMT
Game 1: Prannoy takes lead
Prannoy draws Yang to the net and pushes tosses. A lift from Yang, and Prannoy sends a cross smash. He is now leading 7-5 in the game.
