Jakarta: Ace shuttler HS Prannoy kept India’s hopes alive at the Indonesia Open 2022 badminton tournament by reaching the men’s singles semifinals here Friday. HS Prannoy eked out a convincing win over Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke in the quarterfinals at the Istoria Stadium, here Friday.
Prannoy, the only Indian still alive in the BWF Super 1000 event, beat Gemke 21-14, 21-12, to set up a semifinal clash against China’s Zhao Junpeng. The latter beat Hong Kong shuttler Cheuk Yiu Lee in his final-eight clash. In the four meetings Prannoy and Junpeng have each won two matches apiece.
Prannoy, 23rd in the world badminton rankings, dominated the early exchanges against his Danish opponent. However, Gemke seemed to be carrying an injury and his mobility was quite limited in comparison to his other matches.
The Indian began with six back-to-back points before Gemke, the World No. 13, could register himself on the scoreboard. The Dane produced some eye-catching shots in the second half of the opening game but the early momentum was enough to see Prannoy through.
Gemke, who had upset world No. 2 Kento Momota in the opening round of the Indonesia Open, put on a much-improved display early in the second game. However, Prannoy continued to work his angles well to keep his nose ahead.
With the Dane fading away from the match after the break, Prannoy wrapped up the affair in 40 minutes after taking the final eight points on a trot. The Indian never lost his lead throughout the contest.
Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia, a former All England Champion, will square off in the other men’s singles semifinal.