Syed Modi Badminton | Sindhu survives; Manjunath manages another surprise

H.S. Prannoy, the lone surviving seed in the men’s draw, lost his match.

In spite of playing way below her best, top seed P.V. Sindhu managed to settle a score with Thailand’s all-attacking Supanida Katethong in three games to reach the semifinals but H.S. Prannoy, the lone surviving seed in the men’s draw, was not so lucky in the $150,000 Syed Modi India International badminton on Friday.

In what was seen as the final before the final after Supanida’s stunning victory over Sindhu in the India Open semifinals last week in Delhi, the Indian lived dangerously throughout the 28-minute decider before pulling away to a 11-21, 21-12, 21-17 triumph in 64 minutes.

The speedy 30th-ranked left-handed Thai tested Sindhu’s defensive skills and did not let her unleash aggressive strokes for the better part of the match. Finally, it was Sindhu who broke away from 17-17 in the decider and forced a match-point with a forceful cross-court smash. She closed the match with a powerful forehand down-the-line ‘kill’ from the backhand court.