Report: India’s mixed doubles pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy reached the semi-finals, while the men’s singles shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy fell in the quarter-finals of the $325,000 Japan Open Superseries on Friday. Pranaav-Sikki got the better of South Koreans Seung Jae Seo and Kim Ha Na 21-18, 9-21, 21-19 in 58 minutes. The Indian pair will have a good chance to advance to the final as they will meet Japanese qualifiers Takuro Hoki and Sayaka Hirota on Saturday. The performance of Pranaav and Sikki was the only positive for India on a day which saw Prannoy and Srikanth lose. Olympic silver medallists PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal lost on Thursday in the quarter-finals. Srikanth lost to recently crowned world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 17-21, 17-21 in 40 minutes. Prannoy lost to Chinese second seed Shi Yuqi 15-21, 14-21 in 45 minutes. Yuqi will meet Malaysian veteran Lee Chong Wei in the semi-finals, while the other semi-final will be fought between third seed Axelsen and South Korean top seed Son Wan Ho, who ended Chinese veteran Lin Dan’s challenge with a 21-15, 21-15 victory. The women’s singles semi-finals will see 2016 Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain taking on recently crowned world champion and local favourite Nozomi Okuhara and Chinese sixth seed He Bingjiao facing compatriot Chen Yufei.
Highlights Japan Open Superseries, results: Viktor Axelsen sets up Lee Chong Wei clash; Carolina Marin into final
Catch the live updates from the semi-finals of the Japan Open Superseries as Sikki Reddy-Pranaav Chopra take on Takuro Hoki-Sayaka Hirota.
 "Highlights Japan Open Superseries, results: Viktor Axelsen sets up Lee Chong Wei clash; Carolina Marin into final")
Here is the schedule of Japan Open Superseries final:
He Bingjiao beats Chen Yufei: 21-14 25-23
Despite winning the first game with ease, He was stretched in the second by a defensive Chen. He made quick returns in the opening game to frustrate Chen, who was looking for backhand shots near the sidelines. It was neck and neck in the second stanza with both shuttlers mixing their shots well after the mid-game break. But, it was He who won it, at last, to set up a clash with Carolina Marin in the final of women’s singles.
Kevin Sanjaya and Marcus Gideon beat Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen: 21-15, 21-14
World No 2 Indonesian pair outclassed the World No 1 duo of Boe and Mogensen in straight games to successfully avenge their Korea Open Superseries final loss in Seoul. Kevin and Marcus combined well and responded brilliantly to the attacking shots from the other side of the net.
It's going to be an epic MS final tomorrow 👊
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) September 23, 2017
Defending champ @LeeChongWei will take on world champ @ViktorAxelsen https://t.co/X9lqSZ91hM pic.twitter.com/2KGRVouGG7
Viktor Axelsen downs Son Wan Ho: 21-16, 21-16
World champion Axelsen showed his mettle against World No 1 Son to seal his place in the final of Japan Open Superseries. This will be the Dane’s second straight appearance in the final of a mega event. His sharpness at the net tight seemed to have troubled Son who was equally good, but it was Axelsen’s quick feet and range of shots that saw him get the better of the Korean in straight games.
15-15!
Son claws back to level the scores in the second game. Axelsen is prone to making a lot of errors at the net. He needs to hit a winner to stop Son from pushing rallies.
11-8!
Axelsen concentrates on the angle of his shots to unsettle a defensive Son. He leads by three points at the break of the second game.
Viktor Axelsen wins first game: 21-16
Despite starting the opening game confidently, the Dane allowed Son to take the lead after the mid-game break. However, Axelsen used his composed game under pressure to play wrist shots from the sidelines and bag back-to-back points.
A 3-point advantage for Son at the break of 1st game against Axelsen
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) September 23, 2017
He is mixing his shots brilliantly https://t.co/X9lqSZ91hM #JapanSS pic.twitter.com/NvE0vf9Ecq
Lee Chong Wei beats Shi Yuqi: 21-19, 21-8
After being seven points down in the opening game, the Malaysian ace scripted a tremendous fightback to win the opening game and thwarted Shi in the second to enter the final of the men’s singles. He has already won the Japan Open Superseries title six times and is the defending champion. He mixed his shots well and picked the angles perfectly against an attacking opponent.
A terrific show today will surely make him the favourite in the final tomorrow.
So close, yet so far!
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) September 23, 2017
Pranaav Chopra and Sikki Reddy go down fighting in #JapanSS semis after losing 21-14, 15-21, 19-21 to Hoki and Hirota pic.twitter.com/3i17WjvJ4H
Takuro Hoki and Sayaka Hirota beat Sikki Reddy and Pranaav Jerry Chopra: 14-21, 21-15, 21-19
Despite losing the opening game, the Japanse duo performed well in crucial stages to take the next two games. The final game was a hard call. Sikki and Pranaav were equally determined and in touch to win the match. It was anybody’s match, however, Takuro and Sayaka edged it. So, the good run comes to an end for the Indian pair. But, there is a lot to learn from it. A lot of takeaways from their first ever semi-final appearance in a Superseries event.
9-11! Sikki & Pranaav trail despite starting the deciding game confidently
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) September 23, 2017
They need to attack morehttps://t.co/X9lqSZ91hM #JapanSS
8-8! It’s neck and neck in the semi-final clash between Sikki-Pranaav and Takuro-Sayaka
A lot of quick exchanges at the net. The movement near the sidelines and court coverage will be key for the Indian shuttlers.
JUST IN: Nozomi Okuhara gives a walkover to @CarolinaMarin due to injury
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) September 23, 2017
Marin is into the #JapanSS final https://t.co/X9lqSZ91hM pic.twitter.com/dPOmpA5HRC
Takuro and Sayaka win second game: 21-15
After losing the opening game, the Japanese duo responds well to make it 1-1 in this semi-final tie against Sikki and Pranaav, who are playing their maiden Superseries semis.
Hoki/ Hirota hav found their momentum and continue to stay ahead of Pranaav/ Sikki. Leading 14-10 in the second game. #JapanSS Semis
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) September 23, 2017
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