Star Indian shuttler HS Prannoy will likely be showcasing his fearless model of badminton towards one of the best within the enterprise for a stellar efficiency in his maiden BWF World Tour Finals.
With two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu pulling out of the occasion as a result of harm, Prannoy would be the lone Indian within the year-end match, which has been shifted from Guangzhou in China as a result of an increase in COVID-19 circumstances. it was carried out.
One of probably the most constant Indian gamers on the circuit this season, Prannoy has been clubbed in Group A alongside Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, Kodai Naroka of Japan and Lu Guang Xu of China.
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“I’m excited to begin my BWF World Tour Finals marketing campaign. This is my first time on the year-end championship and I hope I can do properly.
Though Prannoy has acquired a good draw and will likely be hoping to make it to the semi-finals from the group stage, it won’t be a simple activity given his poor file towards his group opponents. Prannoy has a dismal 1-5 file towards world primary Axelsen however will take confidence from the truth that he beat the Dane on the Indonesia Masters final yr.
Against 21-year-old new sensation Kodai Naroka, Prannoy had misplaced of their solely assembly on the Singapore Open in July. The Indian had additionally misplaced to Lu Guang Xu of China of their solely assembly on the French Open. However Prannoy, who has been nominated for the BWF’s ‘Most Improved Player of the Year’ award, is understood to step up his recreation on the larger occasions and this yr has been a revelation.
He performed a key position in India’s epic Thomas Cup win in May and likewise completed runner-up on the Swiss Open Super 300 in addition to reaching the semi-finals on the Indonesia Open Super 1000 and Malaysia Masters Super 500 occasions.
His good run in World Tour occasions noticed him qualify instantly for the Season Finals for the primary time in his profession and he will likely be trying to take advantage of the chance this week. While defending champion Axelsen is actually the hardest impediment in his method, Prannoy can’t afford to make any errors towards the opposite two opponents.
Axelsen turned the season round, successful a formidable 39-match successful streak – a world file within the self-discipline – and 5 Super Series titles. Chow Tien Chen, Jonathan Christie, Anthony Ginting and Loh Kean Yew, amongst others within the area, have all been in a position to go far within the occasion. But Prannoy, affectionately referred to as ‘The Beast’ by his associates, could be a darkish horse, particularly for his capability to create hassle.
The world quantity 12 has not gained a title in over 5 years and will likely be trying to high issues off forward of the brand new season.
For India, Sindhu is the one one to win the distinguished title whereas Sameer Verma reached the final 4 stage within the 2018 version. In ladies’s singles, defending champion Ann Se Young, world champion Akane Yamaguchi, Olympic champion Chen Yufei and Denmark Open and French Open title winner He Bingjiao are all favourites.
Tai Tzu Ying and Ratchanok Intanon could not have had a fantastic season, however their achievements through the years will hold them in competition.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
