HS Prannoy Stuns Watanabe at China Open; Lakshya Sen Bows Out

Indian badminton star HS Prannoy pulled off a dramatic comeback to defeat Japan’s Koki Watanabe in a thrilling first-round match at the China Open Super 1000 tournament on Tuesday. The veteran shuttler saved five match points and fought back from a game down to register a sensational 8-21, 21-16, 23-21 win over the world No. 18.

Currently ranked 35th in the world, Prannoy showcased remarkable grit and mental strength after being thoroughly outplayed in the opening game. With Watanabe pushing hard in the decider and standing on the brink of victory, Prannoy remained calm under pressure to turn the match in his favor.

“I just tried to stay in the moment and not think about the score,” Prannoy said after the win. “Saving five match points feels great, but I know there’s still a long way to go in this tournament.”

While Prannoy’s comeback victory lifted Indian spirits, it was another disappointing outing for compatriot Lakshya Sen. The former world championship bronze medallist once again faltered after a strong start, losing to China’s fifth seed Li Shi Feng 21-14, 22-24, 11-21.

Despite taking the first game with authority, Lakshya failed to capitalize on crucial points in the second and struggled to keep pace in the decider. His early exit adds to a string of inconsistent performances on the international circuit this season.

With Prannoy progressing to the next round, Indian hopes now rest on his shoulders as the China Open continues in Changzhou.