World Championships bronze medalist Sai Praneeth crashed out of the China Open after suffering 21-16, 6-21, 16-21 defeat to Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Praneeth, who had beaten Ginting in straight games in their latest meeting, won his first set 21-16 but the Indonesian shuttler made a remarkable comeback to win the 2nd and 3rd set and sail into the semi-finals.
Sai Praneeth, unseeded in the prestigious tournament, had defeated lower-ranked local shuttler Lu Guang Zu 21-19, 21-19 to reach the men’s singles quarter-finals. World No. 15 Praneeth had opened his campaign with a three-game marathon against Suppanyu Avihingsanon of Thailand on Wednesday.
Anthony Ginting had progressed to the quarter-final after edging past Parupalli Kashyap in the Round of 16 match on Thursday. Kashyap, who had eased past Brice Leverdez on Wednesday, came up with a stiff fight only to go down 21, 23, 21-15, 12-21 to the World No. 9 in an hour and 10 minutes.
Earlier on Thursday, China Open witnessed the biggest upset so far when PV Sindhu crashed out as early as the second round. The reigning world champion had outclassed former Olympic champion Li Xuerui in straight games on Wednesday but fell to a spirited effort from World No. 15 Porpawee Chochuwong of Thailand.
India’s challenge in the singles ended after Sai Praneeth’s quarter-final defeat at the hands of Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting.
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