HS Prannoy lost to World Championships bronze medalist Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in a three-game clash, ending India's challenge at the Japan Open 2022 Super 750 badminton tournament here on Friday.
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This 30-year-old Indian player did not give up till the end but Chou also did not slow down and won the match 21-17, 15-21, 22-20 which lasted for one hour and 20 minutes. After the early exit of the rest of the players, India's hopes rested on Prannoy. Prannoy, who has been doing well for some time, made a good comeback after losing the first game and kept himself in the fight till the last moments in the third and deciding game.
Match Report of Japan Open 2022:
Prannoy, who had won over Chou in the last two matches before the quarter-finals, dominated the opening game and was leading 12-8 at one point. Chou, however, took advantage of Prannoy's mistakes and was soon ahead 15-14. Prannoy again played Chow's backhand over the net, giving the Taipei player three game points. He won the game with a cross-court return.
Chou started with a modest 5-4 lead in the second game as well. His aggressive attitude was taking a toll on the Indian player, who went down 6-10 due to frequent mistakes. Prannoy's luck also favored him and he managed to level the score at 10-10.
Chou took a slight lead till the interval but after that Prannoy showed a great game while Chou made frequent mistakes. Prannoy quickly took the lead 19-14 and then he did not take long to win the game. Prannoy made an early mistake in the third and deciding game to give Chou a 6-4 lead. By the interval, the Taipei player had a strong lead of 6 points but the Indian player soon made the score 12-13 by putting up some brilliant cross courts.
But Prannoy again made a mistake as Chou took the lead at 17-14. The Indian player then saved three match points but again his serve was not correct, giving Chou a match-winning point and this time he did not make any mistake in getting it.