New Delhi:
Indian shuttlers did not have a very good day in the office at the China Open as Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy crashed out in the fourth round as both suffered losses. Saina went down 18-21, 11-21 to Japanese fifth seed Akane Yamaguchi while HS Prannoy fought hard but suffered a 19-21, 17-21 loss to Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu.
Saina got off to a good start by taking an 11-9 lead in the first game. However, Yamaguchi made a strong comeback and won four out of the next six points. At 17-17, the game was evenly poised but Yamaguchi won the big points and snatched the lead to take the first game 21-18.
At the start of the second game, Saina lacked momentum and she fell behind the Japanese shuttler. At 11-8, the game was firmly in Yamaguchi’s grasp and she did not slip up to clinch the game and the match.
Saina Nehwal lost in the fourth round of the China Open Superseries Premier badminton tournament with a 18-21, 11-21 loss to fifth seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan while HS Prannoy, the national champion, put up a tough fight but lost to Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu 19-21, 17-21
