Thailand Open 2013: 4 Indian men book last-16 birth

FILE PHOTO: B Sai Praneeth

The SCG Thailand Open, currently under way in Bangkok, saw many major upsets in the round of 32, in which the Indian players played a pivotal role.

The chain of upsets started with young B. Sai Praneeth, who stunned fourth seed Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka 21-12, 18-21, 21-18 to move on to the pre-quarters of the event.

Following next, was the man who has been at his best these days, H.S. Prannoy who outclassed compatriot Ajay Jayaram, seeded fifth. Prannoy, came from a set down to win 14-21, 21-16, 21-13 and ultimately sealed his place in the third round.

It was a routine day for tenth seed – Anand Pawar, who wasn’t made to struggle much as his counterpart Poodchalat Pisit retired when the latter was trailing 14-21. With this, Pawar sailed into the last 16.

However, emerging shuttler – Sourabh Varma, seeded eighth, couldn’t keep pace with Wan Ho Son as the Indian went down 12-21, 17-21 in the second round of the tournament.

Kidambi Srikanth, who has been seeded no. 13 for the tournament, destroyed Toby Penty 21-4, 21-14 to storm into the next round.

It was a great day for the Indian shuttlers in the office. Let’s hope we see many of them making it to the quarterfinals too!