India’s HS Prannoy displayed resilience and determination to overcome a spirited challenge from Vietnam’s Le Duc Phat in the final group match of the men’s singles badminton event at the Paris Olympics. The 32-year-old from Kerala, who had recently recovered from chikungunya, showcased his fighting spirit to secure a hard-fought 16-21, 21-11, 21-12 victory over the world number 70 Le in a 62-minute battle.
Despite looking slightly fatigued and rusty in the opening game, Prannoy regained his composure and executed his game plan effectively in the subsequent games. The world number 13 trailed 8-7 early on, but a precise shot at the corner gave Le a crucial two-point lead. The Vietnamese continued to dominate the rallies, utilizing his jump smashes to trouble Prannoy. The Indian fell behind 11-15 after the break, but he managed to narrow the gap to 15-16 with an aggressive push at the back. However, Le extended his lead to 18-15 and eventually sealed the opening game when Prannoy went long.
After the change of sides, Prannoy seized the initiative and opened up a 4-0 lead. Le gradually applied pressure, but Prannoy maintained his composure and went into the break with an 11-7 cushion. The Indian looked calm and in control as he quickly wrapped up the second game to force a decider.
In the third game, Prannoy established a 6-4 lead before engaging in an aggressive flat exchange with Le. The Indian went wide, allowing Le to draw parity at 7-7. However, Prannoy regained control and grabbed an 11-8 lead after winning another aggressive flat exchange. The Indian stamped his class thereafter, while Le struggled to find his rhythm. Prannoy quickly closed out the match when Le found the net again.
With this victory, Prannoy advanced to the men’s singles pre-quarterfinals, where he will face fellow Indian Lakshya Sen in an all-Indian clash. Prannoy’s performance is a testament to his resilience and determination, as he overcame physical challenges to secure a spot in the knockout stage.
