Sindhu, Srikanth advance to Indonesia Masters 2021 quarter-final

HS Prannoy registered an upset victory over Victor Axelsen to storm into the last eight.

Srikanth Kidambi continued his impressive run in the Indonesia Masters 2021 by defeating Indonesian shuttler Jonatan Christie in the second run of his men’s singles encounter. Srikanth began to the match as the underdog, facing the No. 6 seed in his home turf. Things looked grim for the 28-year-old as he started on the backfoot.

Christie looked confident and outplayed the Indian shuttler to win the first game comfortably by the margin of 21-13. However, Kidambi was not to be ousted on the day. He displayed incredible resolve to push back Christie and outwit him in the rallies. Srikanth fought hard to clinch the second game 21-18, setting up a grand finish. However, the Indian shuttler won the mental battle and unnerved the host with his impressive work. Kidambi rallied hard to win the third game, securing a 13-21, 21-18, 21-15 win to move into the final eight.

Sindhu looks for first post-Tokyo glory

World No.7 PV Sindhu has booked a place in the quarter-final of the ongoing Indonesia Masters 2021. She defeated Spain’s Clara Azurmendi 17-21, 21-7, 21-12 in three games. There are many Indian shuttlers participating in the competition in order to win medal for the country. PV Sindhu is the favourite to win her bracket and is slowly on her way to glory.

The match lasted over 47 minutes as the Spaniard stretched the Indian to limits and managed to win the first game 21-17. However, PV Sindhu was in a class of her own, as she won the second game 21-7 and mesmerized in the deciding game, winning it comfortably by 21-12 to move forward in the tournament. Sindhu is the third seed in women’s singles category and will aim to continue her march at the Indonesia Masters 2021.

The talismanic shuttler has already achieved her second Olympics medal earlier this year in Tokyo when she won the bronze in the women's singles event. She will be looking to seal her first tournament victory following the Olympic triumph.

Prannoy creates upset

The biggest upset on the day was pulled off by HS Prannoy against world No. 2 Viktor Axelsen in the second round clash. The Indian shuttler pulled off an incredible display to eliminate the Dane after an absolute thriller. Kumar started the match slowly, with Axelsen proving his class by storming in front in the first game.

He won the first game 21-14, putting the pressure on the Indian shuttler. However, Prannoy displayed an incredible show of character after that. He went toe-to-toe with Axelsen in the second game and ousted him in the key rallies. After a hard-fought series, he won the second game 21-19 to force a decisive third game.

Prannoy continued his brilliant work to unnerve the Danish shuttler, forcing him to make mistakes. At the end, Kumar pulled off an amazing 14-21, 21-19, 21-16 win to eliminate the second seed. He will face compatriot Srikanth in the quarter-finals, with at least one Indian shuttler guaranteed for the semi-finals.

Action elsewhere involving the Indians

In men’s singles, Lakshya Sen conceded defeat against world No.1 Kento Momota in the Round of 16 of the Indonesia Masters 2021. The Japanese shuttler was too strong and won the match by 21-13, 21-19. Sen was no match for Momota and faced elimination by losing the tie in straight games.

Over at the mixed doubles, Indian pair of Dhruv Kapila and N. Sikki Reddy bowed out after losing against Thailand’s Supak Jomkoh and Supissara Paewsampran. The pair lost the first set , but came back strongly in the second game. However, after a closely contested third game, Kapila and Sikki Reddy lost their chance of qualification to the quarter-final of the Indonesia Masters 2021. The pair from Thailand won the contest by 21-15, 21-23, 21-18 .

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