HS Prannoy storm into semifinals of the Malaysia Masters

India's HS Prannoy stormed into the semifinals of the Malaysia Masters Super 500 tournament with a straight games win over Japan's Kanta Tsuneyama on Friday. Prannoy won the match with a score of 25-23, 22-20.

The 29-year-old had a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Tsuneyama prior to their quarterfinal bout. Prannoy exhibited solid defence throughout the match, which lasted for an hour.

Tsuneyama was dictating points during the early moments of the first game and had a two-point lead. However, the Indian shuttler scored four straight points, taking the lead with the score at 10-8. The 29-year-old



maintained a slender lead at the halfway point as there was little to choose between both men.

Prannoy took the lead, but a few untimely errors levelled things up as the momentum was with Tsuneyama as the score was 19-19. The Indian shuttler was able to save a game point and took the lead after a long rally that contained 35 shots. Both men matched each other till the score was 23-23.

Prannoy was finally able to claim the first game with an impressive jump shot, which was reviewed by the Japanese shuttler. However, the point was awarded to the 29-year-old and he had the momentum going into the second game.