Japan Open 2019: HS Prannoy trumps Kidambi Srikanth in opening round; doubles pair N Sikki Reddy-Pranaav Chopra exit

Tokyo: In an all Indian affair, HS Prannoy stunned Kidambi Srikanth, as he defeated him 13-21, 21-11, 22-20 in the first round of Japan Open on Wednesday. Srikanth held a 4-1 record over Prannoy coming into this match, but the shuttler was unable to deliver a winning performance. [caption id=“attachment_3848861” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of HS Prannoy. Image courtesy: BWF official website[/caption] The 26-year-old Srikanth was able to win the first set 21-13, but he conceded the next two sets, allowing Prannoy to win the match. Prannoy won the second set comprehensively as he won 21 games as compared to Srikanth’s 11. The third set was a closely fought affair, which was taken by Prannoy 22-20. In the doubles, Indian pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy were defeated by Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiaong 11-21, 14-21. It was disappointment for Sameer Verma too, who went down to Denmark’s Anders Antonsen in straight games in another men’s singles match. The unseeded Indian lost 17-21 12-21 in the match that lasted 46 minutes. Later in the day, PV Sindhu will begin her campaign against China’s Yue Han. With inputs from Agencies