Kidambi Srikanth and PV Sindhu
– Photo: Social Media
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Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy cruised into the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Open World Tour Super 1000 badminton event with straight-game victories. At the same time, the campaign of two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu ended with a defeat. Lakshya gave a tough fight to Srikanth in the men’s singles last-16 match but the experienced world no. This is Srikanth’s third win in three matches for both the players. Seventh seed Prannoy beat Hong Kong’s Agnes Na Ka Long 21-18 21-16 in 43 minutes.
Srikanth and Lakshya had a tough fight. Lakshya took a 4-0 lead early on. After that Srikanth made a comeback and it was a good fight between the two. The 30-year-old Srikanth then took four consecutive points against his 21-year-old rival to take the first game. The second game was also closely fought but Srikanth took six consecutive points to lead 20-14. After that 2021 World Championship silver medalist Lakshya made the score 20-20.
Srikanth will compete with Li Shi Feng
Srikanth maintained his composure and took the match by scoring two consecutive points. Srikanth will next face China’s Li Shi Feng, who defeated Loh Kean of Singapore 21-19, 21-14. Prannoy will next face third seed Kodai Naroka of Japan.
Sindhu’s 19th defeat in 24 matches against Tai
World No. 14 women’s singles player Sindhu went down 18-21 16-21 to world No. 3 Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in her second round match. Sindhu had made early round exits in the last two tournaments. Sindhu has faced a lot of trouble against Tai Tzu at the international level. In the 24 matches played between the two players, the Chinese Taipei player has won 19 matches. With Sindhu’s loss, the Indian challenge in the women’s singles ended.