Australian Open 2023 Highlights: HS Prannoy beats Priyanshu Rajawat 21-18, 21-12 to reach the final

Not a surprise that Prannoy won the match but it was a late burst in the last half of the second game that allowed him to seal the game 21-18, 21-12. Rajawat gave the senior Indian a tough fight and stayed close to his rival throughout the match but the unforced errors didn’t help and also once Prannoy found his rhythm the smashes became difficult to pick up or return. 

This is the second Super 500 final for Prannoy this year and let’s hope he wins the title also.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 🤩💥

2️⃣nd Super 500 final on #BWFWorldTour this year 🚀

📸: @badmintonphoto #AustraliaOpen2023#IndiaontheRise#Badminton pic.twitter.com/YTUyVeYeky

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 5, 2023

HS Prannoy 21-18, 16-11 Priyanshu Rajawat 

Two quick smashes and Prannoy adds to his lead against Rajawat. The youngster has played admirably but looks out of ideas now.

HS Prannoy 21-18, 11-7 Priyanshu Rajawat 

Prannoy has a crucial lead midway through the second game. Biggest lead so far in the match. It’s do-or-die for Rajawat now.

HS Prannoy 21-18, 7-4 Priyanshu Rajawat 

A 41-shot rally and Prannoy loses this point despite a stretch for a return. Still he has a good lead and it’s going to be a big test for Rajawat.

HS Prannoy wraps up the first game 21-18 against Priyanshu Rajawat 

Apart from the very start, Prannoy stayed in the lead throughout the game even if it was only marginal. Both players had some good returns but made plenty of unforced errors. We should see a better play in the next game.

HS Prannoy 18-18 Priyanshu Rajawat 

Rajawat was down by two points but has draw level with Prannoy making another unforced error after two brilliant returns from the youngster. What a game he is having.

HS Prannoy 15-15 Priyanshu Rajawat 

Rajawat continues to stay close and levels with Prannoy making an unforced error with his shot going long straight down. Prannoy has made a lot of unforced errors after the break.

HS Prannoy 12-12 Priyanshu Rajawat 

Excellent pickup from Rajawat forces Prannoy to send the shot wide. Rajawat has taken four out of five points since the break.

HS Prannoy 11-8 Priyanshu Rajawat 

Prannoy has the lead going into the break in the first game and it has been the unforced errors that have proved to be the undoing of Rajawat.

HS Prannoy 7-6 Priyanshu Rajawat 

Prannoy has the lead and while he is looking to kill the game as early as possible. Rajawat stays close to the senior player with some good court coverage.

HS Prannoy 3-2 Priyanshu Rajawat 

Prannoy is looking like the aggressor here. Rajawat conceded two points through unforced errors and then a weak return on a smash resulted in Prannoy taking the lead.

HS Prannoy 1-2 Priyanshu Rajawat 

Rajawat started strongly with his service and went 2-0 up before conceding a point through an unforced error.

Now it’s time for the men’s doubles semi-finals between Japan’s Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi and Taiwan’s Lu Ching Yao and Yang Po Han on Court 1.

After the men’s doubles semis, we will have Prannoy vs Rajawat on Court 1.

It’s over! China’s Weng Hong Yang win the fist men’s singles semi-finals, beating Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia 21-19, 13-21, 21-13.

The winner between Prannoy and Rajawat will play Weng Hong Yang in the final.

While the timing for the Prannoy vs Rajawat match on Google was given as 12.30 PM, we should expect a bit of delay in the start of the game. The match is on the Court 1 of the State Sports Centre in Sydney and currently, the other men’s singles semis between Lee Zii Jia and Weng Hong Yang is underway. 

Weng won the first game 21-19 but trails 12-20 in the second game.

Prannoy entered the semis by beating Tokyo Olympic Bronze medallist Anthony Ginting 16-21, 21-17, 21-14.

Orleans Masters 2023 champion Rajawat set up a match against Prannoy by getting the better of compatriot Kidambi Srikanth in straight games 21-13, 21-8.