- Prannoy set to face nationhood star Lakshya Sen in the round of 16
Indian shuttler HS Prannoy defeated Japan’s World No. 2 Kento Momota 21-17, 21-16in the round of 32 at the BWF World Championships 2022, and Lakshya Sen also registered a straight win over Spanish L. Penalver 21-17, 21-10 in the same round in men’s single at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Japan on Wednesday. Both Indian shuttlers are set to face each other today in the round of 16 (Pre-Quarterfinals). On the other hand, another Indian star S. Kidambi lost the 2nd round match against Chinese JP Zhao 9-21, 17-21.
Prannoy, who had faced seven times Japanese player Momota, and had never beaten him before the ongoing BWF World Championship, won the match by 21-17, 21-16 on Wednesday in his den.
Lakshya Sen, the CWG-2022 gold medallist, made a slow start to his match vs Spanish player Penalver and at a moment found himself trailing 6-4. However, Sen stepped on the gas and scored the next nine points on the trot to take over the first game, and finally, he lead 21-17 after first game.
Following his lead, in the second game, the world No. 10 shuttler Sen turned out to be one side game as he defeated his opponent Spanish Penalver 21-10.
Sen will next face his nationhood player Prannoy, who made the pre-quarterfinals after winning over Japanese world no. 2 Momota. Both Indian stars will face each other today in the round of 16.
Former world no.1 Kidambi, who had won silver medal last year in BWF World Championship in Spain, however, endured a disappointing ending to this year’s campaign after an upset against Zhao.
On the other hand, in the women’s single, Sania Nehwal, who got the free pass to enter into the pre-quarterfinals after retiring Japanese N. Okuhara from the round of 32, is now set to face Thai player B. Ongbamrungphan today in the round of 16.
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