World Championships: Prannoy assures India of a medal, Satwik-Chirag lose in quarterfinals
HS Prannoy extracted the last ounce of energy from his reservoir to stun two-time defending champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in a thrilling 68-minute quarterfinal to ensure a medal for India in the World Badminton Championship here on Friday. In a nail-biter, Prannoy once again showed his big-match temperament as he fought back from a game down to outwit the world No.
1 one Axelsen 13-21 21-15 21-16 in-front of his home crowd at the Roal Arena.
«O' yes! I finally have a worlds medal,» said Prannoy after ensuring his maiden medal.
Prannoy played under immense pressure with the home crowd rooting for the world No. 1 Axelsen.
«I just zoned out, the only thing under my control is me.
I was actually not thinking anything else today, just thinking what to do to take the next five points,» the world number 9 said.
«A lot of thinking I was doing inside but was not aware what was happening around. I was pretty much in my zone after the second game.»
The 31-year-old from Kerala, who claimed the Malaysia Masters Super 500 and reached the finals at Australian Open Super 500 this year, thus continued India's dream run at the World Championships as the victory sealed the country's 14th medal in the event.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu won five of them, including a gold in 2019, and Saina Nehwal (silver and bronze) claimed two.
