Indonesia Open: Parupalli Kashyap stuns Chen Long to reach semifinals

Parupalli Kashyap

Indian Badminton star and World No. 12 Parupalli Kashyap produced one of the finest performances of his career to stun the World No. 1 and reigning World Champion Chen Long of China 14-21, 21-17, 21-14 in the quarterfinals of BCA Indonedsia Open Superseries Premier tournament.

This win is much more special for the 29-year old Hyderabadi shuttler because he was having a 1-7 win-loss record against the World No. 1 prior to this match and his only victory against Chen Long came in 2012 in the same tournament.

London Olympics Quarterfinalist and 2014 Commonwealth Games Champion Kashyap, started the match on a good note as he took a two-point lead before the mid game interval of the opening game. Trailing by 9-11, Chen Long with his quick movement and powerful smashes grabbed the next seven points in a row to take a commendable advantage.

Long grabbed the first game point opportunity to seal the opening game 21-14.

In the second game, Kashyap opened up gaps from the beginning, taking a 11-7 lead before Long clawed his way back to reduce the lead to just one point but the 2015 Indian Open Grand Prix Gold winner stretched the lead to 19-15. He then closed the game with ease with a scoreline of 21-17.

There was no looking back for Kashyap in the decider as he sealed five points in quick succession from 4-3 to take a massive lead of six points. The Chinese tried to fight his way back, but Kashyap rattled points quickly to capture the game and hence the match.

Kashyap, who stunned the world No. 5 Korean shuttler Wan Ho Son yesterday will now take on the winner of the match between qualifier and local favorite Ginting Anthony and World no. 9 Japanese ace Kento Momota.