Chirag-Satwik pair and Prannoy reach quarterfinals

KUALA LAMPUR, Jan 12: World championships bronze medallist men’s pair Chirag Shetty & Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and HS Prannoy stormed into the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open Super 1000 badminton tournament here on Thursday. Satwik and Chirag outplayed their Indonesian counterparts Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana 21-19, 22-20 to strengthen their head-to-head record 3-0. World No 8 Prannoy registered a 21-9, 15-21, 21-16 victory over 19th-ranked Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in a men’s singles match that lasted for one hour and leveled up the head-to-head record 1-1 with the Indonesian. He will square off with Japan’s Kodai Naraoka for a place in the last last-four. Prannoy showcased clear dominance in the first game as he wrapped it up with a 21-9 scoreline. Wardoyo, however, staged a comeback in the second game as the Indian could not cope with the Indonesian’s shots and the match went into the decider.In the deciding game, both the players were engaged in a close fight before Prannoy opened up a five-point lead before sealing victory. (IANS)