HS Prannoy demonstrated why he is now India’s finest by defeating emerging Priyanshu Rajawat 21-18, 21-12 in the semifinals of the Australian Open Super 500 on Saturday. Prannoy has perfected the art of closing a set pulling out the big winners at precisely the right moments.
Rajawat displayed all of his talent in a single rally to tie the first set score at 18-18, but Prannoy was able to stop him at this point with a solid cross smash and advance to his second Tour final victory of the season in just 43 minutes.
When Priyanshu successfully executed yet another net dribble to increase the score to 17-18, Prannoy had fought his way to a lead of 18-16. The following rally put Prannoy’s charging power attack to the absolute test. Priyanshu started off with the fastest behind-the-behind retrieve and then, in response to a body attack, blasted back a forehand reflex as an irate Prannoy flung the shuttle wide to tie the match at 18 all.
Priyanshu had earlier started to get in on his senior, but Prannoy was always one step ahead, spotting mistakes by toggling him along either flank. While Prannoy dragged Priyanshu to the goal and crushed crosses, Priyanshu would go well around the back corner for direct smashes.
“We both play each other in training almost everyday. Lot of credit goes to him. Because he has been training really well for the last 7 to 8 months. Here also, getting to a semifinal is not that easy. He’s always a tricky opponent,” Prannoy would say later. “He’s got big lanky smashes out there. You have to be very patient against these kinds of players that are skilled. It was important for me to be composed and stay with him the entire match. And keep getting the shuttles in. That was the only motive out there. Because we know each other’s shots well. He knows what I’m going to play, I know what he’s gonna play. But how well you execute in a particular situation is what matters,” the World No 9 added.
