Badminton
Japan Open 2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Prannoy and Satwik-Chirag knocked out in quarters; Lakshya reaches semis
Catch all the highlights of the Japan Open 2023 quarterfinals.
HS Prannoy, ranked tenth, is India's top-ranked men's singles player. (Photo credit: Badminton Photo/BAI)
HS Prannoy - the world no. 10 and India's highest-ranked men's singles player - conceded his lead to lose his quarterfinal match against world no. 1 Viktor Axelsen 21-19, 18-21, 8-21. The match lasted for an hour and 16 minutes. Axelsen will face Kodai Naraoka of Japan in the semifinals.
Earlier today, world no. 2 men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who were chasing their third consecutive BWF World Tour title at the Japan Open Super 750, lost a gruelling three-setter against Olympic champions Lee Yang and Wang Chin-Lin of Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals. The final result was 21-15, 23-25, 21-16 in Lee and Wang's favour.
Lakshya Sen, however, has had an easy outing against Koki Watanabe of Japan as he won his quarterfinal match in straight games (21-15, 21-19).
Live Updates
- 28 July 2023 8:57 AM GMT
Axelsen levels the match
Axelsen wins the second game 21-18 and forces decider. Another great comeback in the match.
- 28 July 2023 8:56 AM GMT
Game 2: Game point for Axelsen
One more challenge goes unsuccessful for Prannoy. Axelsen takes 20-17 lead. Game point chance for him.
Axelsen skids, his shot goes wide. Prannoy wins a point.
- 28 July 2023 8:55 AM GMT
Game 2: Game point for Axelsen
One more challenge goes unsuccessful for Prannoy. Axelsen takes 20-17 lead. Game point chance for him.
- 28 July 2023 8:54 AM GMT
Game 2: Unsuccessful challenge by Prannoy
Prannoy's challenge unsuccessful. Axelsen's smash lands in the court. He takes 19-17 lead.
- 28 July 2023 8:52 AM GMT
Game 2: 17-17
Axelsen looks frustrate. His return finds the net, his making service error. Prannoy levels the game 17-17.
- 28 July 2023 8:51 AM GMT
Game 2: Good fight between Axelsen and Prannoy
Prannoy's return hits the net, Axelsen takes the lead for the first time.
Prannoy levels it, a service error from Axelsen. It is 16-all now. The game is poised for an exciting finish.
- 28 July 2023 8:49 AM GMT
Game 2: Axelsen fights back
Axelsen levels the parity 15-15 with a power smash. Prannoy's challenge falls flat. The Dane is leaving no stone unturned to make a comeback in the match.
- 28 July 2023 8:47 AM GMT
Game 2: Good judgement from Prannoy
Prannoy again shows a better judgement. He plays a late shot and Axelsen finds the net in return. Prannoy makes it 15-13 in his favour.
- 28 July 2023 8:46 AM GMT
Game 2: Prannoy winning points
Prannoy is controlling the game. A few of crisscrossing exchanges, a couple of smashes followed by exchanges the net, he holds firm control at the net now.
Prannoy marches to a 14-11 lead.
- 28 July 2023 8:43 AM GMT
Game 2: Prannoy extends lead
Axelsen's toe injury is troubling him, it is clear. He is struggling to reach out to the shuttle. Prannoy is using it to his advantage. The Indian takes the lead to 12-9.
