Macau: Defending champion P V Sindhu and fellow Indian H S Prannoy marched into the semifinals of the women’s and men’s singles respectively at the USD 120,000 Macau Open Grand Prix Gold here on Friday.
World No. 11 Sindhu prevailed over the fifth seed Han Li of China 21-17 19-21 21-16 in a match that lasted over an hour at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. The second seed will next take on Busanan Ongbumrungpan of Thailand on Saturday.
Men’s third seed Prannoy got the better of Indonesia’s Sony Dwi Kuncoro 21-19 21-17 in 41 minutes. He faces Wong Wing Ki Vincent of Hong Kong for a place in the final.
Earlier, Sindhu opened up a 5-1 lead early on and even though Li narrowed the gap to 6-5, as the game progressed the Indian increased her lead and pocketed the opening game without much ado.
In the second game, Sindhu once again surged ahead to a 11-6 lead but Han caught up with the Indian with a five-point burst.
The Indian then reeled off four points on the trot but the Chinese kept breathing down her neck, clawing back at 17-17.
After a tough battle, it was Li who managed to get past Sindhu to roar back into contest.
Li carried the momentum in the decider early on as she moved to 6-3 but Sindhu soon wriggled her way out of the rut to lead 14-8.
A gruelling battle ensued next but it was Indian who had the last laugh as she closed the door on her rival with four straight points. (PTI)
