Taipei: Indian badminton player HS Prannoy’s campaign at the Taipei Open 2023 came to a disappointing end as he bowed out in the men’s singles quarterfinals on Friday. The ninth-ranked player in the world faced a tough challenge against Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus, who is ranked 16th globally. Prannoy fought hard but ultimately succumbed to a 21-19, 21-8 defeat.
The match, held at the Tian-Mu Arena, started with Prannoy taking an early lead of 5-2. However, Ng Ka Long Angus showcased his resilience and leveled the score at 5-all. The two shuttlers engaged in a gripping battle, exchanging points as they vied for control. With the score tied at 19-all, it was Ng Ka Long Angus who held his nerve, securing two crucial points to snatch the first game.
In the second game, HS Prannoy struggled to find its rhythm, trailing 8-2 by the mid-game break. Ng Ka Long Angus continued to dominate the proceedings, while Prannoy found it challenging to match his opponent’s intensity. Ultimately, Ng Ka Long Angus sealed the victory, wrapping up the match in just 38 minutes.
This loss marked Prannoy’s sixth defeat against Ng Ka Long Angus in their 12 meetings. In their previous encounter, Prannoy emerged victorious with a 21-18, 21-16 triumph during the Indonesian Open 2023, reaching the semi-finals. Notably, the 30-year-old Indian shuttler recently claimed the Malaysia Masters title in May, showcasing his remarkable skills on the court.
Unfortunately, with Prannoy’s exit from the tournament, the Indian challenge at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open came to an end. Earlier, Tanya Hemanth also faced defeat in the women’s singles pre-quarterfinals, succumbing to world No. 4 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medalist, Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei.
Looking ahead, the Indian shuttlers will shift their focus to the upcoming Canada Open. The BWF Super 500 tournament is scheduled to take place in Calgary from July 4 to 9. With their sights set on future competitions, Prannoy and his compatriots aim to bounce back, seeking to make their mark on the international badminton circuit once again.
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