NEW DELHI: A slow starter, HS Prannoy is known to get better as the game progresses. While Kidambi Srikanth or Lakshya Sen know how to win points and subsequently games from the outset, the old war horse takes his own sweet time with endurance being his forte. So when the 31-year-old won the first game in the men's singles quarter-final against Wang Tzu Wei in a jiffy, it surprised many. But when the eighth seed lost the second, Prannoy fans were in for the same old another marathon battle at the $850,000 India Open here on Friday.
But the main hall of the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium went quiet when the home favourite trailed 5-10 against the Chinese Taipei shuttler in the decider. But the marathon man from India delighted his fans wi he staged a come-from-behind victory to beat Wang 21-11, 17-21, 21-18 in an hour and 17 minutes and enter the men's singles semi-finals of his home Open for the first time.
"Men singles is a very wideopen category. You just can't finish things off quickly and come out. Players are going to fight for each round, especially getting to an Olympic qualification season. I really wanted to finish it off soon. But that's how some days are; you have to fight it out, some matches are long, you have to be gritty enough to win these kind of matches," Prannoy said after his sixth win in nine meetings over Wang.
Esta historia es de la edición January 20, 2024 de Hindustan Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 20, 2024 de Hindustan Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Aamir-Ajay off-screen reunion makes fans ask for Ishq 2
When actors Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn reunited at an event on Saturday, it left their fans nostalgic.
Blissful Bebo in Saif haven!
Kareena Kapoor Khan is back in the bay from her Diwali holiday in the Maldives, and on Saturday, the actor shared some stunning pictures of sun-kissed beaches and sun-tanned skin from her dreamy getaway with her boys – actor-husband Saif Ali Khan and sons, Taimur and Jeh.
FAKE TICKETS, SCALPING STRIKE A SOUR NOTE
Ahead of some big international gigs in India, we talk to artists and organisers about the rising threat of fake ticketing and black marketeering
He always had a smile on his face: Ssudeep Sahir delves into memories of Nitin Chauhaan
Actor Ssudeep Sahir, one of the first to confirm the tragic passing of his Tera Yaar Hoon Main co-star Nitin Chauhaan, is in a state of shock after the incident. Chauhaan, 35, was found dead in his Mumbai flat on Friday. He allegedly died by suicide.
MCSWEENEY TO OPEN, INGLIS HANDED FIRST TEST CALL UP FOR BGT OPENER
Uncapped Nathan McSweeney won the race to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test against India while Australia also handed a maiden Test call up to Josh Inglis on Sunday.
Pakistan win 1st ODI series Down Under since 2002
Saim Ayub hit 42 and Abdullah Shafique 37 as Pakistan raced to a commanding eight-wicket victory and their first one-day series win in Australia for 22 years on Sunday.
Jagan Kumar, the 11-time national motorcycle champion, quits racing
NEW DELHI: It has been an emotional time for Jagan Kumar, the illustrious rider who decided to roll his bike into the garage for good after dominating Indian circuits for around 15 years.
A rivalry and new momentum
Sabalenka-Swiatek battle for the top promises an exciting year in women's tennis
Varun's fifer in vain, Stubbs scripts a sensational chase
South Africa level series 1-1, beating India by three wickets in the second T20I at Gqeberha
Chelsea, Arsenal in 1-1 draw; United win
Chelsea and Arsenal shared the spoils in a tense and at times bruising 1-1 battle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, keeping the London sides level in the Premier League, but still nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool.