Priyanshu, Tanisha-Ashwini reach Syed Modi semifinals

World no. 32 and seventh seed Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa, who had clinched the Nates International Challenge and Abu Dhabi Masters Super 100 this year, secured a 21-19, 21-8 win over Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who are ranked 19th in the world and the fourth seeds here.

Tanisha and Ashwini will face top-seeded Japanese pair of Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota in the semifinals.

In the men’s singles match, Priyanshu made a good start, leading 5-0. Though Farhan narrowed down the deficit to 14-15, the Indian reeled off five straight points to seal the opening game comfortably. In the second game, Priyanshu once again opened up a 8-3 advantage but the 18-year-old Indonesian turned the tables, taking a slim 11-10 lead at the break.

Farhan improved the lead to 15-12 and around that time Priyanshu called for medical attention to his ankle, as he seemed to be in pain. But Priyanshu regrouped just in time to take nine of the next 10 points to seal the issue.

“Feels really good to play a tournament with good support. I feel like I have the confidence to go the distance here, especially because I am the only Indian sinlges player left and I want to win the title for us,” Priyanshu said on his win.

“(The ankle feels better now, I have to check with my physios if I can manage but I can feel that I’ll be able to play on Saturday like this. This is my second Syed Modi, I had lost against Prannoy bhaiya during the lockdown edition. I am feeling good this time, hopefully the crowd can come and support me.”

Priyanshu will next face Chinese Taipei’s Chi Yu Jen.