Prannoy shocks Chong Wei, again

Odense : HS Prannoy’s second successive win over three-time Olympics silver medallist Lee Chong Wei was the highlight of a day when Saina Nehwal crashed out while Kidambi Srikanth made it the quarterfinals of the Denmark Open Super Series.
Just four months back, Prannoy had dispatched Chong Wei in straight games in the Indonesia Super Series. Yesterday, the unseeded Indian ousted the former world No. 1 Malaysian 21-17 11-21 21-19 in a match that lasted an hour and three minutes. World No. 8 Srikanth defeated South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok Jin 21-13 8-21 21-18. Prannoy will next face S Korea’s top seed Son Wan Ho, while Srikanth will meet Viktor Axelsen.
Saina crashes out
Saina Nehwal lost to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 10-21 13-21 in the quartefinals. Earlier, Saina prevailed over Thailand’s Nitchaon Jindapol 22-20 21-13 in the pre-quarterfinals.
Stunning Prannoy
Prannoy trailed Chong Wei, who turns 35 tomorrow, 1-2 in career meetings before the match. The 25-year-old Indian built up a 10-7 lead but the former world No. 1 levelled with a lucky net chord before entering the break with a slender lead after the Indian’s return missed the sideline.
Chong Wei held on to his lead till 14-13 when Prannoy unleashed a jump smash to draw parity and then went into the lead. But Prannoy’s return going to the net again tied the score.