HS Prannoy Loses To Ng Ka Long In Quarterfinals Of Taipei Open

HS Prannoy didn't quite find his rhythm, going down 19-21 8-21 to fifth seed Ka Long in a lop-sided contest.

Star Indian shuttler HS Prannoy suffered a straight-game loss to Hong Kong's Ng Ka Long Angus in the quarterfinals to end country's campaign at the Taipei Open Super 300 tournament on Friday. The world No. 9 Indian didn't quite find his rhythm, going down 19-21 8-21 to fifth seed Ka Long in a lop-sided contest. Coming into the match with a 6-5 head-to-head record, third seed Prannoy matched his rival in the beginning but as the match wore on, he crumbled. Both the shuttlers didn't yield much as they engaged in a tight game, leading to a close affair in the first part of the opening game.

After Ka Long made a service error, Prannoy grabbed a slender two-point lead at the break.

The Indian netted a shot and missed the line next as it was 12-12. Prannoy played some good-looking jump smashes to wriggle out of situations but the Hong Kong player kept himself in the hunt as lead kept changing hands till 19-19.

Ka Long then won a rally comprising parallel shots to grab a game point and converted it when Prannoy went long.

Ka Long continued the momentum in the second game, leading 7-2 at one stage. His returns were more precise and smashes had a little more sting as he troubled the Indian.