After Kidambi Srikanth and Ajay Jayaram on Wednesday, HS Prannoy also joined his compatriots to make an early exit from the All England Open after suffering a heavy 13-21, 5-21 defeat to China’s Tian Houwei in Birmingham on Thursday. Prannoy’s defeat ended India’s campaign in the men’s singles category.
Houwei looked composed and outplayed his opponent without really getting out of second gear. Despite the Indian getting off to a solid start in the first game, the Chinese took control of the contest by reeling off eight straight points, which would prove to be significant in the way the match shaped up. The second game was a lopsided affair, as Houwei crushed Prannoy by not allowing him to settle into the contest. From 14-5, Houwei picked up seven straight points to race away to victory.
Houwei, seeded seventh, has his task cut out in the quarter-final, where he faces former champion Lee Chong Wei.
