Unseeded Indian men’s doubles pair Krishna Prasad Garaga and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy secured one of the biggest wins of their careers on Wednesday at the Arctic Open Super 500, defeating China’s fifth-seeded duo He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu 10-21, 21-18, 22-20 to reach the second round.
How Krishna and Pruthvi Overcame China’s Fifth Seeds
The 58-minute opening-round encounter tested the resilience of the Indian combination after a lopsided first game in which the Chinese pair asserted early control. Dropping the opening game 10-21, Krishna and Pruthvi adjusted their tactics to counter the pace and court coverage of He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu. Displaying composure under pressure, the unseeded pair claimed the second game 21-18 to force a decider.
The final game pushed both pairs to their limits, featuring prolonged rallies and tight exchanges before the Indian duo converted their chances to edge out a 22-20 victory in the third. The win adds to a productive stretch for Krishna and Pruthvi, who picked up back-to-back title victories in May at the Saint-Denis Reunion Open and the VI Mexican International Challenge.
HS Prannoy Falls to Anders Antonsen in Opening Round
While the doubles victory provided a major boost for the Indian contingent, veteran HS Prannoy suffered an early exit. The 34-year-old Asian Games medalist struggled to find rhythm against fourth-seeded Dane Anders Antonsen, falling 10-21, 9-21 in a one-sided encounter.
Prannoy’s defeat continues a difficult run of form during the current season. Antonsen controlled the tempo from the outset, exploiting unforced errors and restricting the Indian veteran’s attacking opportunities across two straightforward games.
Upcoming Matches for India’s Singles Contingent
Action continues later in the day with several Indian singles players taking to the court. Tharun Mannepalli is scheduled to face Denmark’s Magnus Johannesen, Rounak Chouhan meets China’s Weng Hong Yang, and former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth takes on Canada’s Brian Yang as the tournament progresses through its opening rounds.
Worth a look
