India Open/Malaysia Open/Singapore Open - March 2019

[sameerph]

3 weeks of major tournaments in Asia begins with India open this week. It is a weak field this week at India open with only 3 top 10 players in mens singles and 3 in womens singles.

Srikanth and Sindhu are #2 and #1 seeds effectively in mens and womens singles respectively although they are seeded 1 place lower as top seeds in both events withdrew at the last moment.

Hope our players can go all the way at the India open this week.

[sameerph]

These are first round results in mens singles -

[R1] SAI PRANEETH B (IND,20) d. Kartikey GULSHAN KUMAR (IND,172) 22-24 21-13 21-8
[R1] Subhankar DEY (IND,44) d. (4) Tommy SUGIARTO (INA,9) 14-21 22-20 21-11
[R1] Ajay JAYARAM (IND,53) l. WANG Tzu Wei (TPE,32) 15-21 18-21
[R1] Siddharath THAKUR (IND,147) l. Suppanyu AVIHINGSANON (THA,33) 21-15 11-21 7-21
[R1] PARUPALLI Kashyap (IND,55) d. LEE Cheuk Yiu (HKG,34) 14-21 21-18 21-10
[R1] Kartik JINDAL (IND,257) l. (7) Khosit PHETPRADAB (THA,19) 17-21 8-21
[R1] GURUSAIDUTT R. M. V. (IND,112) l. Sitthikom THAMMASIN (THA,36)
[R1] (3) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) d. WONG Wing Ki Vincent (HKG,37)
[R1] (5) Sameer VERMA (IND,15) d. Rasmus GEMKE (DEN,29) 21-18 21-12
[R1] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,24) d. (6) Kantaphon WANGCHAROEN (THA,17) 14-21 21-18 21-14

Prannoy and Subhankar Dey upset the seeds. Prannoy of course should have been ranked higher barring injuries but it was a really good top 10 win by Shubhankar. Srikanth had to really fight hard for his win and at one point was 11-17 down in the third game before making a comeback to win.

6 Indians are in second round.

[sameerph]

Womens singles first round results -

[R1] VAIDEHI CHOUDHARI (IND,116) l. (7) HAN Yue (CHN,13) 12-21 6-21
[R1] Sai Uttejitha Rao CHUKKA (IND,88) l. (4) Ratchanok INTANON (THA,8) 9-21 6-21
[R1] Ritika THAKER (IND,184) l. (8) Mia BLICHFELDT (DEN,22) 6-21 14-21
[R1] Vrushali GUMMADI (IND,97) l. Chananchida JUCHAROEN (THA,69) 21-17 20-22 12-21
[R1] Prashi JOSHI (IND,127) l. (3) HE Bingjiao (CHN,7) 12-21 15-21
[R1] Riya MOOKERJEE (IND,92) d. Phittayaporn CHAIWAN (THA,86) 21-17 21-15
[R1] (2) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,6) d. Mugdha AGREY (IND,71) 21-8 21-13
[R1] Anura PRABHUDESAI (IND,115) l. Brittney TAM (CAN,67) 21-18 22-24 10-21

So, only 2 Indian girls advance to second round. Saina is missing due to injury.

[sameerph]

Second round match-ups-

[R2] SAI PRANEETH B (IND,20) vs. (5) Sameer VERMA (IND,15)
[R2] Subhankar DEY (IND,44) vs. WANG Tzu Wei (TPE,32)
[R2] PARUPALLI Kashyap (IND,55) vs. Tanongsak SAENSOMBOONSUK (THA,58)
[R2] (3) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) vs. LU Guangzu (CHN,18)
[R2] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,24) vs. Jan O JORGENSEN (DEN,22)

[R2] Riya MOOKERJEE (IND,92) vs. (8) (8) Mia BLICHFELDT (DEN,22)
[R2] (2) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,6) vs. DENG Joy Xuan (HKG,37)

In doubles, Ashwini-Sikki upset 6th seeded Chinese pair. Others were expected results. Satwik-Chirag still out due to injury to Satwik.

[sameerph]

4 Indian men are thru to the QF while as expected Sindhu is the only women left.

At India Open Super Series, New Delhi

[R2] SAI PRANEETH B (IND,20) d. (5) Sameer VERMA (IND,15) 18-21 21-16 21-15
[R2] Subhankar DEY (IND,44) l. WANG Tzu Wei (TPE,32) 16-21 13-21
[R2] PARUPALLI Kashyap (IND,55) d. Tanongsak SAENSOMBOONSUK (THA,58) 21-1121-13
[R2] (3) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) d. LU Guangzu (CHN,18) 21-11 21-16
[R2] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,24) d. Jan O JORGENSEN (DEN,22) 21-19 20-22 21-17

[R2] Riya MOOKERJEE (IND,92) l. (8) (8) Mia BLICHFELDT (DEN,22) 8-21 21-17 13-21
[R2] (2) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,6) d. DENG Joy Xuan (HKG,37) 21-11 21-13

[sameerph]

4 Indian men are thru to the QF while as expected Sindhu is the only women left.

At India Open Super Series, New Delhi

[R2] SAI PRANEETH B (IND,20) d. (5) Sameer VERMA (IND,15) 18-21 21-16 21-15
[R2] Subhankar DEY (IND,44) l. WANG Tzu Wei (TPE,32) 16-21 13-21
[R2] PARUPALLI Kashyap (IND,55) d. Tanongsak SAENSOMBOONSUK (THA,58) 21-1121-13
[R2] (3) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) d. LU Guangzu (CHN,18) 21-11 21-16
[R2] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,24) d. Jan O JORGENSEN (DEN,22) 21-19 20-22 21-17

[R2] Riya MOOKERJEE (IND,92) l. (8) (8) Mia BLICHFELDT (DEN,22) 8-21 21-17 13-21
[R2] (2) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,6) d. DENG Joy Xuan (HKG,37) 21-11 21-13

[sameerph]

In mens doubles pairs of Manu Atri-Sumeeth Reddy and Pranav Chopra-Shivam Sharma, in womens doubles pairs of Ashwini Ponappa-Sikki Reddy and Shruti K.P and Aparna Balan have reached the quarter finals.

These are QF match-ups for our players -

[QF] (3) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) vs. SAI PRANEETH B (IND,20)
[QF] PARUPALLI Kashyap (IND,55) vs. WANG Tzu Wei (TPE,32)
[QF] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,24) vs. (2) Viktor AXELSEN (DEN,4)

[QF] (2) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,6) vs. (8) Mia BLICHFELDT (DEN,22)

[QF] (6) Manu Atri/Sumeeth Reddy (IND) vs. Pranav Chopra / hivam Sharma

[QF] Ashwini Ponappa/ Sikki Reddy (IND,23) vs. (1) Apriyani RAHAYU / Greysia POLII (INA,5)
[QF] Shruti K.P / Aparna Balan (IND,67) vs. (2) Jongkolphan KITITHARAKUL / Rawinda PRAJONGJAI (THA,10)

[sameerph]

Srikanth makes it to the final but Sindhu loses in the semi final.

At India Open Super Series, New Delhi

[QF] (3) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) d. SAI PRANEETH B (IND,20) 21-23 21-11 21-19
[QF] PARUPALLI Kashyap (IND,55) d. WANG Tzu Wei (TPE,32) 21-16 21-11
[QF] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,24) l. (2) Viktor AXELSEN (DEN,4) 10-21 16-21

[QF] (2) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,6) d. (8) Mia BLICHFELDT (DEN,22) 21-19 22-20

[QF] (6) Manu Atri/Sumeeth Reddy (IND) d. Pranav Chopra / Shivam Sharma (IND) 21-10 21-12

[QF] Ashwini Ponappa/ Sikki Reddy (IND,23) l. (1) Apriyani RAHAYU / Greysia POLII (INA,5) 10-21 18-21
[QF] Shruti K.P / Aparna Balan (IND,67) l. (2) Jongkolphan KITITHARAKUL / Rawinda PRAJONGJAI (THA,10) 8-21 11-21

Kashyap also had an excellent win the QF.

[SF] (3) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) d. HUANG Yuxiang (CHN,30) 16-21 21-14 21-19
[SF] PARUPALLI Kashyap (IND,55) l. (2) Viktor AXELSEN (DEN,4) 11-21 17-21

[SF] (2) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,6) l. (3) HE Bingjiao (CHN,7) 21-23 18-21

[SF] (6) Manu Atri/Sumeeth Reddy (IND) l.Ricky KARANDASUWARDI / Angga PRATAMA (INA).

Srikanth has a tough one in the final.

[F] (3) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) vs. (2) Viktor AXELSEN (DEN,4)

[sameerph]

Srikanth lost in the final

At India Open Super Series, New Delhi

[F] (3) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) l. (2) Viktor AXELSEN (DEN,4) 7-21 20-22

Srikanth made it to the final of a tournament after long time but still cannot put up any sort of challenge against top 5 players. It seems really a long time since he beat a top 5 player.

[Sin Hombre]

He is on a 10+ match losing streak against the top players, hasn't even been competitive.

[sameerph]

True, if one looks at his performances against current top 6 since start of 2018-

#1 Momota - 0-7
#2 Shi Yuqi 1-0
#3 Chou 0-1
#4 Axelsen 0-1
#5 Chen Long- not played
#6 Son Wan Ho 0-1

So, it is a poor 1-10 with last win against Chinese Shi Yuqui coming in February 2019. He has a fair record against those below top 8 in that period. But, needs to desperately improve that record against top 6 to have any chance of a medal at Tokyo.

[sameerph]

Disappointing start for our players at Malaysian open.

At Malayasia open - BWF 750

[R1] Sameer VERMA (IND,15) l. (2) SHI Yuqi (CHN,2) 20-22 23-21 12-21
[R1] (8) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) d. Ihsan Maulana MUSTOFA (INA,41) 21-18 21-16
[R1] PRANNOY H. S. (IND,21) l. Sitthikom THAMMASIN (THA,34) 21-12 16-21 14-21

[R1] (5) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,6) d. Aya OHORI (JPN,20) 22-20 21-12
[R1] (8) Saina NEHWAL (IND,9) l. Pornpawee CHOCHUWONG (THA,21) 22-20 15-21 10-21

[R1] ATTRI Manu / REDDY B. Sumeeth (IND,21) l. (7) ZHOU Haodong / HAN Chengkai (CHN,6) 16-21 6-21

[R1] Ashwini PONNAPPA / REDDY N. Sikki (IND,20) l. KIM Hye Rin / BAEK Ha Na (KOR,42) 20-22 21-17 20-22

[R1] Pranaav Jerry CHOPRA / REDDY N. Sikki (IND,31) d. Sam MAGEE / Chloe MAGEE (IRL,36) 22-20 24-22

Bad losses for Saina and Prannoy against lower ranked players. Sameer put up a good fight against world #2.

Later today-

[R2] (8) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) vs. Khosit PHETPRADAB (THA,18)

[R2] (5) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,6) vs. SUNG Ji Hyun (KOR,10)

[R2] Pranaav Jerry CHOPRA / REDDY N. Sikki (IND,31) vs. TAN Kian Meng / LAI Pei Jing (MAS,38)

[sameerph]

And only Srikanth advances to QF.

At Malayasia open - BWF 750

[R2] (8) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) d. Khosit PHETPRADAB (THA,18) 21-11 21-15

[R2] (5) PUSARLA V. Sindhu (IND,6) l. SUNG Ji Hyun (KOR,10) 18-21 7-21

[R2] Pranaav Jerry CHOPRA / REDDY N. Sikki (IND,31) l. TAN Kian Meng / LAI Pei Jing (MAS,38) 21-15 17-21 13-21

Sindhu looks in bad form. She has hardly won anything in 2019 so far. Hope she turns it around soon.

Srikanth has been fairly consistent in winning against players ranked below top 10 in last 1 year but his tough test comes from QF onwards as it happens now.

[QF] (8) KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND,7) vs. (4) CHEN Long (CHN,5)

[prasen9]

How long will Long Chen chain our players with his long chain? Is he not long overdue to be retired?

[sameerph]

Chen Long is 30. One of the oldest players in top 20 but still not at the stage of retiring. Are you confusing him with Lin Dan who is 35 ?

Anyway, this year so far he does not seem to be at his best. Sai Praneeth beat him last month in Swiss Open. Can Srikanth do likewise ?