BWF World Championships 2021, Huelva, Spain- Dec 12-19

[sameerph]

Somewhat depleted field for this world championships with no Indonesian team and some of the top Chinese missing. But, our players have been doing better than they have done in recent times.

These are results for our players so far-

[R1] (12) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,14) d. Pablo ABIAN (ESP,53) 21-12 21-16
[R1] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,32) d. (8) NG Ka Long Angus (HKG,9) 13-21 21-18 21-19
[R1] (14) SAI PRANEETH B. (IND,16) l. Mark CALJOUW (NED,28) 21-17 7-21 21-18
[R1] Lakshya SEN (IND,19) d. Max WEISSKIRCHEN (GER,59) walkover

[R1] (6) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,7) bye

[R1] Manu Atri /Sumeeth Reddy (IND,39) l. Joel EIPE / Rasmus KJÆR (DEN,55) 16-21 15-21
[R1] Arun GEORGE / Sanyam SHUKLA (IND,92) l. ZHANG Nan / OU Xuan Yi (CHN,27) 8-21 18-21
[R1] DHRUV KAPILA / M.R. ARJUN (IND,41) d. Daniel LUNDGAARD / Mathias THYRRI (DEN,45) 21-18 21-17
[R1] (8) Satwiksairaj RANKIREDDY / Chirag SHETTY (IND,9) bye


[R1] REDDY N. Sikki / Ashwini PONNAPPA (IND,21) d. Delphine DELRUE / Lea PALERMO (FRA,39) Walkover

[R2] (12) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,14) d. LI Shi Feng (CHN,63) 15-21 21-18 21-17
[R2] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,32) d. LIEW Daren (MAS,36) 21-7 21-17
[R2] Lakshya SEN (IND,19) d. (15) Kenta NISHIMOTO (JPN,17) 22-20 15-21 21-18

[R2] [R1] (6) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,7) d. Martina REPISKA (SVK,72) 21-7 21-9

[R2] (8) Satwiksairaj RANKIREDDY / Chirag SHETTY (IND,9) d. LEE Jhe-Huei / YANG Po-Hsuan (TPE,31) 27-25 21-17

[R2] REDDY N. Sikki / Ashwini PONNAPPA (IND,21) d. (14) LIU Xuan Xuan / XIA Yu Ting (CHN,20) 21-11 9-21 21-13

[PQF} (12) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,14) d. LU Guang Zu (CHN,27) 21-10 21-15

[PQF] [R1] (6) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,7) d. (9) Pornpawee CHOCHUWONG (THA,10) 21-14 21-18

[PQF] (8) Satwiksairaj RANKIREDDY / Chirag SHETTY (IND,9) l. (9) ONG Yew Sin / TEO Ee Yi (MAS,12) 20-22 21-18 15-21

[PQF] REDDY N. Sikki / Ashwini PONNAPPA (IND,21) l. (5) Jongkolphan KITITHARAKUL / Rawinda PRAJONGJAI (THA,9) 13-21 15-21

[sameerph]

So, really good run by Srikanth and Sindhu so far. Sri has beaten 2 Chinese youngsters in last 2 rounds comprehensively. These Chinese youngsters are usually way above their ranking and I think these 2 are top 20 level players. So, really good to see Sri dominating them.

Sindhu had 3 back to back losses to this talented Thai youngster but Sindhu is a different player when she plays at these big events.

Satwik-Chirag lost a close in PQF. They have somewhat underperformed since Tokyo olympics.

Prannoy and Lakshya are going to play their PQF matches later today.

[sameerph]

Both Lakshya and Prannoy won their PQF matches, Prannoy with another nice upset. So, we have 3 in the QF of mens singles for the first time.

[PQF] Lakshya SEN (IND,19) d. Kevin Cordon (GUA,43) 21-13 21-8

[PQF] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,32) d. (11) Rasmus Gemke (DEN,10) 16-21 21-8 22-20

Next,

[QF] (12) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,14) vs. Mark Caljouw (NED,28) - Never met before
[QF] Lakshya SEN (IND,19) vs. Zao Jun Peng (CHN,42) - Never met before
[QF] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,32) vs. Loh Kean Yew (SIN,22) - Head to head 2-0 for Prannoy

[QF] (6) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,7) vs. (1) Tai Tzu Ying (TPE,1) - Head to head 5-14 for Sindhu

[srini]

Sindu out in QF against her usual nemesis Tai, but Indian MS Juggernaut rolls by into final rounds. Srikanth into Semis and Lakshya, Pranoy in QF so far. At this pace, shouldn't be surprised if Final becomes all Indian affair On the badminton forum i was browsing, people were joking Indian players didn't have a proper MS coach assisting them and probably that's the way to go stand on podium.

[jaydeep]

Lakshya also confirms his first World Championship medal beating his Chinese opponent Jun Peng Zhao after saving 1 match point, 21-15 15-21 22-20

So WC semi-final is decided between, Srikanth vs Lakshya

[srini]

Lakshya removed the last standing Chinese Zhao in tightly contested 3 setter. 2 medals assured already (We can even say assured of a Silver and Bronze as Lakshya will face Srikanth in semis so for the 1st time we will be having a contestant in MS finals in WC! Wow what a WC this is turning out to be for Mens Singles! From absolutely no hopers to the only guys steam rolling into final rounds!!

[suresh]

All we need now is for Prannoy to win his QF.

[suresh]

Srikanth beats Lakshya in 3 sets to reach the final. Scoreline: 17-21, 21-14, 21-17.

[F] (12) KIDAMBI Srikanth vs LOH Kean Yew

The women's final is between the top two seeds, TTY and Yamaguchi.

[sameerph]

Watched this match between Srikanth and Lakshya. Lakshya has made more rapid progress this year than i thought he would. Both his defense and attack were superb today. But, Srikanth proved just a bit better in a cracking match.

Final against Singaporean Loh would be tough for Srikanth. Loh has been in supreme form in last few weeks.

[rajitghosh]

I saw Loh's match against Prannoy. The speed at which he moves is mind-boggling. His aggression and reflexes are something Srikanth would find hard to match. Let's hope for the best.

[SaniaFan]

He lost but he gave a good fight. If only he can eliminate the free points he gives to his opponents...

[PKBasu]

This turned out to be one helluva world championship for the Indian men in Huelva. Sad that Srikanth couldn't crown with a gold against a lower-ranked (albeit in-form) player.

I watched the SF between Srikanth and Lakshya Sen. The latter's retrieving skills and ability to transition from defense to offence stood out for me. At 20, his progress in the last two years is a bright spot for Indian badminton.

Let's hope the Indian men's badminton players keep adding to the feathers they earnt in Spain last week.