HYDERABAD: Bronze medallist at the last edition
Sai Praneeth
crashed out the World Championships while his practice partner
Kidambi Srikanth cleared the first round without breaking much sweat in Huelva, Spain on Sunday. Two Indian doubles teams also faltered in the first round.
Praneeth, who ended a 36-year-old drought by winning the men's singles medal in 2019, lost a hard fought match against Mark Caljouw of the Netherlands 21-17, 7-21, 18-21. Praneeth won the first game easily, but lost his rhythm after changing the courts.
Praneeth was leading 14-8 in the decider. But once again change of courts affected his performance as he conceded five straight points and later the match.
Former world No.1, Srikanth faced no such problems as he put it across Pablo Abaian of Spain 21-12, 21-16 in straight games.
In the second round, Srikanth will face Li Shi Feng of China.
Senior men's doubles duo of Manu Attri and
Sumeeth Reddy
failed to put up a fight against Danish doubles pair of Joel Eipe and Rasmus Kjaer 12-21, 16-21.
Women's doubles team of Pooja Dandu and
Sanjana Santosh retired after losing the first game 12-21 against
Alyssa Tirtosentono
and Imke Van Der Aar of the Netherlands.
Four Indian doubles teams and men's singles shuttler HS Prannoy will play their first matches on Monday. Unseeded Prannoy will take on eighth seed Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong.
Start a Conversation
Post comment