Praneeth settles for bronze after defeat to relentless Momota

by IANS |

Basel (Switzerland)  :  Sai Praneeth's dream run at the 2019 BWF World Championships came to an end on Saturday with a 13-21, 8-21 loss to Japanese World No.1 Kento Momota. Praneeth kept pace with the defending champion for much of the first game, but Momota switched gears in the second and left the 27-year-old Indian reeling.

There was little to seperate the two before the interval of the first game. Praneeth fluctuated between defence and attack and hardly made an unforced error which meant that Momota was holding a slendor lead of 11-10 in the first game. 

Momota started to assert himself after that and Praneeth started making a succession of unforced errors. Praneeth could only take two more points after resumption as Momota took the first game 21-13. 

Praneeth was completely out of his depth in the second game with Momota relentlessly ticking away the points. The Indian started making a number of errors and by the time the interval came, Praneeth's body language showed that he had resigned to his fate. Momota led 11-3 at the interval. Praneeth took just five more points and lost the second game 8-12. 

Praneeth said that it was the unforced errors after the interval in the first game that brought his downfall. "I lost my rhythm after making four-five mistakes continuously after the break. He was also able to pick up all my attacks so I just blanked out," he told IANS. 

Latest News
New AI tool can predict fatal heart rhythm with 80 pc accuracy Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 12:41 PM
IPL 2024: 'Perplexed, beyond my understanding', Smith, Pathan slam Hardik's tactics of using Bumrah vs SRH Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 12:27 PM
Sensex surges more than 700 points led by gains in financial stocks Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 12:19 PM
India launches new database to record crimes against UN peacekeepers Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 12:11 PM
Israel bracing for six-week Rafah operation immediately after Ramzan Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 12:04 PM
Meghalaya CM thanks PM Modi for not fielding BJP candidates Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:40 AM
Ladakh agitation intensifies as protesters threaten march to border with China Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:38 AM
Stoinis, Harris, Neser, Agar miss out as Australia announce national contracts for 2024-25 Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:34 AM
Devine out of 5th T20I against England with injury; Plimmer comes in as replacement Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:32 AM
X users with 2,500 verified subscriber followers to get Premium service for free Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:26 AM
Top VC firm Accel to nurture 8 early-stage startups in India Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:25 AM
Only 4 pc of Indian firms are 'mature' to tackle modern cyber attacks: Report Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:23 AM
India, China hold crucial meet to resolve issues along LAC Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:13 AM
Hezbollah announces death of five operatives in Israeli airstrike Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:11 AM
EAM Jaishankar's three-nation Southeast Asia tour to enhance ties concludes Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:09 AM