Priyanshu Rajawat tries hard but can’t beat HS Prannoy, who faces Chinese leftie Weng Yang in Australian Open Super 500 final

The next point was an irretrievable cross smash with a lot of shoulder on it sent cross. 19-18 Prannoy. Then it was the senior’s turn to show his agility, as he sent a wonderful and fast backhand wrist flick, complete with a pirouette to take it to 20-18. Prannoy, 31, would win the set with a precise on the line winner. Three big points played like a champion finisher.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 🤩💥

2️⃣nd Super 500 final on #BWFWorldTour this year 🚀

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— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 5, 2023

Earlier, Priyanshu had snapped at his senior’s heels, though Prannoy was always a step ahead drawing out errors by toggling him along either flanks. The two attacking players traded smashes – Priyanshu would move well along the back corner for straight smashes, while Prannoy drew him to the net, and smashed crosses. The youngster wouldn’t allow Prannoy to string together more than three points as he effected fast transitions to the net from where he had the better of the dribble exchanges. But Prannoy was inciting errors too – Priyanshu sending them wide and his backhands in the net, each time the scores levelled at 7-7, 12-12, 15-15 and finally 18-18. Priyanshu’s fairly sturdy and at times sensational defense meant Prannoy too was forced to go for the lines, or deal in straight punches. But 10 errors came from Priyanshu’s racquet in the opener. But for the big breakaway points and to claim the opener, Prannoy reserved the cross smash.

“We both play each other in training almost everyday. Lot of credit goes to him. Because he has been training really well for the last 7 to 8 months. Here also, getting to a semifinal is not that easy. He’s always a tricky opponent,” Prannoy would say later. “He’s got big lanky smashes out there. You have to be very patient against these kinds of players that are skilled. It was important for me to be composed and stay with him the entire match. And keep getting the shuttles in. That was the only motive out there. Because we know each other’s shots well. He knows what I’m going to play, I know what he’s gonna play. But how well you execute in a particular situation is what matters,” the World No 9 added.

Prannoy would begin the second with yet another cross hit, though he would open up a 3-7 lead, striking the sideline. Priyanshu would level at 7-7, but once again Prannoy would begin to pull away with a surprise stop-drop at 8-7 played from a jumping position. He would take the 11-7 lead with a power steep smash, after Priyanshu would send an impulse backhand into the net. The youngster would get the backhand net right to reach within 11-13 of Prannoy, but the tall Keralite would toss it high and draw out errors into the net once more. A push winner to Priyanshu’s backhand, and a cross drop would increase the lead to 18-11. It was a comfortable lead and Prannoy would end with 8 match points, after tugging out 9 unforced errors in the second. The last point however proved how tough the youngster had made it for Prannoy when the 31 year old was made to effect a diving retrieve which Priyanshu sent into the net.

“I hope I can do something similar to what I did in Malaysia” 👀

Prannoy 🗣️ after reaching 2️⃣nd final this year 🔥

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— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 5, 2023

It has taken a humongous effort to string together a week of wins and make his second final. “To be honest, very satisfying because it’s always tough to be playing and continuously beating the Top 10 players. Not just Top 10. When you look at the men’s singles section out there, beating No 35 to 40 is also very very tough these days. Considering that the last 2 years have been very good for me. Consistently being able to pull through matches and that has given plenty of confidence. This year has been special and I hope I can do something like what I did in Malaysia,” Prannoy would say.

On his process that helped him strike consistency, he believed flexibility of mind was crucial. “A lot of credit goes to myself because I was ready to accept change, ready to try new things, give them a chance. The team that has been working with me has been really great. They have been able to provide me with inputs. Help me each day in training. Coaches Gopi sir and Guru. Support staff also, physios and trainers. Everyone has played a role. How much I have worked hard, they also have worked equally hard. Team effort happening right now and I hope we can find solutions for each and every tournament and keep going,” he said.

This boy 🙌🔥

Well played @PriyanshuPlay 🫡

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— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 5, 2023

Chinese leftie next

Prannoy once again comes up against Chinese southpaw Weng Hong Yang in a rematch of the Malaysian Masters final from end May. That had been a 94-minute marathon, where Prannoy prevailed 21-19, 13-21, 21-18.

Much like against Priyanshu, Prannoy had pulled out the big strokes and variations (down the line smashes in the end while he hit cross throughout the match) to break deadlocks. Weng had led 16-15 in the first before the Chinese current World No 24 was ambushed with the big shots. Prannoy had shown finishing prowess with a 4 point streak to end the match in the third.

On the upcoming final, Prannoy would say, “Crowd will definitely help me. I hope there will be a packed crowd tomorrow for me. Weng is very tricky. He can play those big matches out there. Last six months he has beaten a lot of big names. So it’s not easy to play against him. He has an advantage over a lot of players out there. But finally in the finals, I will go all out tomorrow.”

***

Stat Box:

14/18

Prannoy has played 17 three-setters this season and won 13 of those, losing only 4. Amongst the vanquished in the deciders are Lakshya Sen, Chico Wardoyo (twice), Lee Zii Jia, Shi Yuqi, Chou Tien Chen, Li Shifeng, Kenta Nishimoto, Kidambi Srikant, Chi Yu Jen and his opponent at Sydney, Weng Hong Yang. He hasn’t lost a three setter to a Chinese this season.

Notably, of his four losses in 3 (to Kodai Naraoka, Viktor Axelsen, Lee Cheuk You and Antony Ginting), he has reversed the result from loss to win in the decider the next time he met them against Lee Cheuk and Ginting, whom he beat in the quarters at Sydney.

He may hold the upper hand in three sets, but exhaustion cost him the win as he was spent in the third against Axelsen at Japan Open, and Prannoy will hope to wrap up against Weng in two.