Srikanth Triumphs in French Open Opener, Prannoy Bows Out
India’s Kidambi Srikanth emerged victorious in the men’s singles first round of the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament, while HS Prannoy faced an early exit. Srikanth, ranked 24th in the world, displayed his prowess by defeating 14th-ranked Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in a thrilling 66-minute encounter. The match witnessed a fierce battle, with Srikanth ultimately triumphing 21-15, 20-22, 21-8.
Srikanth’s victory marks his third win over Chen in seven meetings. The Indian shuttler showcased his dominance in the first game, securing a 14-point lead after trailing 5-7. However, Chen fought back in the second game, forcing a decider. In the final game, Srikanth regained his momentum, securing nine consecutive points to leave Chen trailing.
In the adjacent court, Prannoy’s hopes of advancing were dashed by China’s Lu Guang Zu. Prannoy initially held a 5-2 lead in the opening game, but Guang Zu gradually closed the gap and eventually took the game 21-17. The second game followed a similar pattern, with Prannoy struggling to maintain his lead. Guang Zu capitalized on Prannoy’s errors, securing the second game 21-17 and ending the Indian’s campaign.
Srikanth’s victory sets him up for a second-round clash against China’s Lu Guang Zu, who defeated Prannoy. The Indian shuttler will be aiming to continue his winning streak and secure a spot in the quarterfinals.