Highlights, National Badminton Championships, results: PV Sindhu to face Saina Nehwal in final; Kidambi Srikanth advances

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty enter final

A comprehensive win for the reigning national champions there. They outclassed Arjun MR and Shlok Ramchandran 21-15, 21-13 in 33 mins to set up a final clash with the experienced pair of Sumeeth Reddy and Manu Attri.

PV Sindhu beats Ruthvika Gadde: 17-21, 21-15, 21-11

A hard-fought victory for Sindhu, who had to come from a game down to beat the high-flying Gadde in a three-game thriller. With this win, she sets up a final clash with Saina Nehwal tomorrow. Gadde showed signs of her deceptive play but faltered right at the end. Credit goes to Sindhu for maintaining the pressure from the second game.

17-10! Gadde is getting frustrated by the number of errors caused by her in the decider. Sindhu looks to have taken the driver’s seat in the crucial stage of the match.

15-8! Sindhu has stretched Gadde at the backcourt regularly. Her attack is something Gadde hasn’t managed to judge in the decider.

11-5! A six-point lead for Sindhu in the third and final game

Ruthvika Gadde is struggling to return https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

10-4! A clean crosscourt smash by Sindhu to extend her lead in the deciding game against a stuttering Gadde.

7-2! Gadde again looks in a hurry to finish the shot and ends up hitting the net. Sindhu, on the other hand, is playing an overall game to maintain the lead.

4-0! That’s a healthy lead for Sindhu in the third and final game against Gadde. Sindhu looks calmer now as the deciding game adds pressure to both the shuttlers.

PV Sindhu wins second game: 21-15!

Sindhu struggled at first but managed to eke out a crucial win over a confident Ruthvika Gadde in the second game and force the match into a decider! Who will win this match to set up the summit clash with Saina Nehwal?

18-14! Sindhu has been patient, while Gadde has panicked a bit at the net. This is where Sindhu’s experience comes to play.

17-12! Gadde tries a deceptive stroke but her shot hits the frame. Unforced errors have started to frustrate Gadde. Sindhu takes a five-point lead,

14-11! Great net play by Sindhu to lead by three points. Gadde needs to be careful near the mid-court area as Sindhu would initiate rallies in between.

Sindhu leads 11-8 at the break of the second game against Gadde

Not an easy task for Sindhu here https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

10-8! Sindhu has played more of a calm game in comparison to the opening game. She doesn’t look in a hurry to finish off the rally but she has prolonged a few rallies.

7-7!

There is nothing to separate the two in the second game

Ruthvika Gadde looks very confident https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

5-3! Gadde’s confidence is just outstanding. She outclasses Sindhu with a brilliant cross courts slice to open up a two-point lead in the second game.

2-2! The second game is well and truly underway. Gadde is not short of confidence, while Sindhu will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing opening game. Not to forget, Gadde defeated Sindhu in straight games at last year’s South Asian Games.

Ruthvika Gadde wins the opening game 21-17 against a struggling PV Sindhu

Excellent attacking play

LIVE: https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017 pic.twitter.com/sdUURvAkJp

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

15-19! Three consecutive points for Sindhu who smacks back-to-back winners to close the gap on Gadde’s lead.

19-12! A healthy nine-point lead for Gadde over a struggling Sindhu as we approach the conclusion of the first game in the women’s singles semi-finals.

15-7! Ruthvika Gadde wins eight straight points to put Sindhu under pressure in the opening game https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

13-7! Incredible attack by Gadde there. Sindhu has misjudged quite a few shots near the sidelines. A bit unusual from World Championships silver medallist but this match is certainly going down the wire.

11-7! A four-point lead for Ruthvika Gadde over PV Sindhu at the mid-game break

Can she cause an upset?https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

9-7! Sindhu looking out of sorts in the opening game. The drift has caused a few problems for the World No 2.

Ruthvika Gadde leads 9-7 against Sindhu in the opening game

A lot of errors at the net by Sindhu
https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

4-4! Gadde’s fast wristy shots have forced Sindhu to make errors at the net. Her backhand is one such area where she can be very dangerous.

3-1! A confident start for Sindhu as the World No 2 hits forehand drives towards the backcourt. Gadde needs to play an attacking game to trouble Sindhu.

PV Sindhu vs Ruthvika Gadde

Olympic silver medallist and top seed Sindhu will square off against Gadde in the women’s singles semi-final clash. With Saina already making it to the final, it is Sindhu’s chance to set up an exciting clash with the former World No 1.

.@srikidambi enters #SNBC2017 final with a 21-16, 21-18 win over Lakshya Sen

He will face @PRANNOYHSPRI in final https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k pic.twitter.com/3JvtRrIJjP

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

Srikanth enters final

The top-seeded shuttler edged past an impressive Lakshya Sen, who was last edition’s runner-up, in straight games to set up the summit clash with HS Prannoy. Srikanth was stretched at times but he managed to keep control of his attack and push Sen towards the backcourt. Despite the loss, it was a brave show by 16-year-old Sen.

19-16! A few unforced errors have put Sen on the back foot. He has gifted points to Srikanth who looks set to clinch the match.

17-15! Srikanth hits a couple of deceptive shots to unsettle Sen. He is using his experience to his advantage yet again.

14-14! And it is still level in the second game between Sen and Srikanth. Told you, this match is one of the matches to watch out for.

12-12!

Sen wins five points on the trot to draw level against Srikanth in the second game https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

10-12! That’s three points on the trot for Sen as Srikanth struggles to return the shuttle across the net. Sen has finally shown his attacking skills.

And yet again, it is Srikanth who leads 11-5 at the mid-game interval against Sen

Dominant! https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

7-4! Sen is pushing hard to pip Srikanth as we approach the mid-game break of the second break. The key to beat Srikanth is playing an overall game from the net.

3-1! Great composure from Srikanth to play quick forehand trick shots from the net. Sen needs to attack more often.

Srikanth takes the first game: 21-16! 

Despite a good start, Sen loses the opening game against an attacking Srikanth. The 16-year-old showed great courage to return the shuttle and defend but failed to hit the winners early.

18-14! A powerful backhand drive to take a four-point lead over Sen in the opening game.

15-11! A series of unforced errors by Sen after the mid-game break. His returns are a treat to watch but Srikanth is delivering booming smashes to trouble the 16-year-old shuttler.

11-10! Srikanth has a slender one-point lead over Sen at the mid-game interval of the first game. The 16-year-old is putting up a brave fight against the World No 2.

9-9! It's neck-and-neck between Lakshya Sen and Srikanth in the opening game of the men's singles semis https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

5-5! Srikanth hits the frame yet again to gift a point to Sen. The World No 2 has always been eager to go for the kill, something Srikanth has been guilty of.

2-2! A good start for Sen who will have to up his defensive game against an attack-minded Srikanth. Once he does that, he can rely on his impressive backhand strokes to capitalise against the World No 2

Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen is the game to watch out of all the matches. All eyes will be on the 16-year-old. 

.@srikidambi is up against 16-year-old Lakshya Sen in the men's singles semi-finals

LIVE: https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k #SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

Saina Nehwal is through to the final

A dominating performance by Saina to thwart Anura Prabhudesai 21-11, 21-10 in just 30 minutes and book a place in the women’s singles final. It was a match where Saina relied on smashes and attacking strokes from the mid-court to unsettle Anura.

19-9! Four straight points for Saina as she looks to finish the match quickly. Notably, her smashes has been lethal and it is something the opponent needs to worry about.

16-9! The second game has shown Saina’s control over her shots, while Anura couldn’t send the shuttle across the net.

13-8! Yet another half-smash by Saina and Anura fails to defend it. Saina has used her experience to her advantage in this match.

Saina maintains the pressure on Anura and leads 11-5 at the mid-game break of the second game https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k#SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

9-5! Anura is targetting the sidelines, however, she has been unfortunate in the process, hitting the shuttle a bit wide. She trails by four points

6-4! That’s a quality attacking stroke from Saina from the mid-court. Anura misjudged the shot completely.

3-3! The second game gets underway and both shuttlers are level in the early stages. It will be interesting to see which shuttler comes out on top at the mid-game interval.

Easy!

Saina Nehwal dominates the opening game 21-11 against Anura Prabhudesai

LIVE: https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k#SNBC2017 pic.twitter.com/0M8oJ6CXdE

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

18-10! That’s an eight-point lead for Saina there. Anura is trying her best to retrieve but her shots haven’t been powerful from the backcourt.

14-8! Saina has been able to control the drift inside the court. Anura commits an unforced error, leaving Saina with a six-point lead in the first game.

Confident start for Saina

She leads 11-6 at the break of the opening game against Anura Prabhudesaihttps://t.co/CutNthyQ4k#SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

9-4! Anura is struggling to lift the bird from the backcourt as Saina delivers back-to-back half-smashes to take the lead.

5-2! Saina opens up a three-point lead over Anura in the early stages of the opening game. She hasn’t misjudged a shot so far.

Saina Nehwal vs Anura Prabhudesai

The second seed will be up against Prabhudesai in the semis of the women’s singles event. There’s a possibility of a Saina-Sindhu final should Saina win this crucial game.

The top seeded pair Ashwini and Sikki hardly break a sweat in the opening game to clinch it 21-10 to go one step closer to reach the final

In the second women’s doubles semi-final action, the top seeded pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikki Reddy take on Aparna Balan and KP Sruthi

It is the experienced pairing of Prajakta and Sanyogita who prevail 18-21, 21-12, 21-16 in a hard-fought three set encounter to book their place in the Final of the Senior National Badminton Championships

Prajakta and Sanyogita fight right back into the match with a dominating second game winning 21-12 to push the semi-final into the decider

The star player @srikidambi in a candid conversation with Maharastra Badminton Association's President Shri @arunlakhani5 at #SNBC2017! pic.twitter.com/WdQvDgY1Qo

— SNBCIndia (@SNBCIndia2017) November 7, 2017

The young pair of Rutupurna Panda and UK Mithula overcome the three-point deficit at the mid-game break to win the opening game 21-18

Caught in conversation! The Chief National Coach for Indian Badminton team @pullelagopicha1 with MBA's President @arunlakhani5 at #SNBC2017. pic.twitter.com/bxysUFKSk8

— SNBCIndia (@SNBCIndia2017) November 7, 2017

11-8! The duo of Sanyogita and Prajakta go into the mid-game break with a 3-point advantage

It is time for women’s doubles action as Rutuparna Panda-UK Mithula take on Sanyogita Ghorpade-Prajakta Sawant

.@PRANNOYHSPRI becomes the first finalist of @SNBCIndia2017 beating #SubhankarDey 21-14, 21-17
LIVE: https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k#SNBC2017 pic.twitter.com/AhXHUenZEL

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

HS Prannoy books his place in the Final of the 82nd Senior National Badminton Championships defeating Subhankar Dey 21-14, 21-17

19-16! Prannoy has been in control of all the rallies in the match so far and it was no different this time as he goes two points closer to winning the semi-final

17-15! Prannoy still maintains the 2-point lead but Subhankar is putting up a major fight to ensure this match goes into the decider

16-14! Subhankar is pumped up every time he gets closer to Prannoy’s score. However, Prannoy seems to have his hold on the match and is firmly maintaining the lead with a clever mix of offence and defence

12-9! Subhankar seems to like winning points in a cluster, but Prannoy has developed a knack of clinching the rallies and is no different this time

11-7! It is advantage #Prannoy in the mid-game interval.
LIVE: https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k#SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

10-6! Prannoy displaying his skill and tactics to use the entire court in his favour to widen the lead in the second game of the semi-final

6-5! A couple of strong smashes from Subhankar takes him one point closer to level the scores with Prannoy

5-3! WHAT A RALLY!!! Yet another successful point for Prannoy from a rally as he puts an end to Subhankar’s run of three consecutive points

3-0! A well-set up point for Prannoy as a wide drop shot received by Subhankar is met with a powerful cross-court winner

21-14! Prannoy wins the opening game with consummate ease. Subhankar seemed all over the place after the mid-game break. Prannoy controlled the rallies to win points at important moments

19-14! Yet another rally and yet another point for HS Prannoy as he goes two points close to clinching the opening game of the 1st semi-final

16-14! yet another unforced error by Prannoy allows Subhankar to reduce the deficit to 2 points

14-12! Prannoy in the lead, but Subhankar wins back the serve with a well-placed backhand and impeccable judgement

12-10! What a scintillating rally and an even better winner by Prannoy to win his first point after the break,

9-7! A couple of consecutive unforced errors from Subhankar gives Prannoy a two-point lead in the opening minutes of the semi-final

7-6! Prannoy trying to breakaway with the lead, but Subhankar is proving to be a tough challenge
LIVE: https://t.co/CutNthyQ4k#SNBC2017

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 7, 2017

5-5! What a jump smash down the line by Prannoy to level the scores one more time

4-4! Prannoy levels the scores after Subhankar won four points on the trot to take the lead

3-0! Prannoy takes a rapid early lead in the opening game of the semi-final

Both the players are out on the mat and it is time for the semi-final action to begin with HS Prannoy taking on Subhankar Dey

In the first match of the day’s 2nd session, HS Prannoy takes on Subhankar Dey in the men’s semi-final.

HS Prannoy who had a bye till the pre-quarters beat Chirag Sen 21-7, 22-20, 21-15 to book a place in the quarter-final. He then beat fifth seed Parupalli Kashyap 22-20, 21-19 in QF. 

Subhankar Dey had two hard-fought encounters in the pre-quarters and quarter-final.

He overcame Daniel Farid 21-18, 19-21, 21-10 in the pre-quarters and third seed Sai Praneeth 13-21, 21-18, 22-20 to earn a place in the semi-final.

Singles semi-finals

HS Prannoy vs Subhankar Dey

Saina Nehwal vs Anura Prabhudesai

Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen

PV Sindhu vs Ruthvika Shivani G

The badminton champion @NSaina captured in candid shots at #SNBC2017 during the intense match sessions! pic.twitter.com/ELqMR0hyyt

— SNBCIndia (@SNBCIndia2017) November 6, 2017

Hello and Welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of the 82nd Senior National Badminton Championships. Today, the top Indian shuttlers will fight it out against each other in semi-final action.

The Nationals that gained prominence after the entry of top ranked players like Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth participating in the event, the matches between the present stars and the future of Indian badminton is being lapped up by the connoiseurs of the sport. 

The day kicks off with the first men’s singles semi-final between HS Prannoy and Subhankar Dey. In the penultimate match of the day, PV Sindhu takes on Ruthvika Shivani for a place in the final of the Senior Nationals happening in Nagpur.