PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy make winning start at World Championships | Badminton News – Times of India

Star Indian Shuttlers PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy went on Tuesday to the second round of women’s and gentlemen singles competitions with Straight game victories at the BWF world championships. Sindhu, a former champion, looked Nervy at the beginning, but slowly stepped up and towed her attack to surpass world number 69 Bulgaria in Kaloyana Nalbantova 23-21 21-6.The bronze winner of 2023, Prannoy, who slipped to World Number 34 and then handed 21-18 21-15 over Finland’s World No. 47 Joakim Oldorff in a battle of 47 minutes.Sindhu will then meet the Karupathevan Litshana of Thailand, while Prannoy probably takes the second seed otherwise Antonsen.Sindhu, a double Olympic medal winner, looked Nervy with 0-4 at the start because of a series of misstep shots in the beginning.From 6-2, Nalbantova gave some Freebies away when Sindhu was limited to 5-7.The Bulgarian kept the pressure on the Indian to go to 9-5. A well-placed shot followed by another precise return, Nalbantova saw a 11-7 benefit during the break.After the break, World Number 15 Sindhu has a series of smashes, including its trademark Cross-Court-Retren, to claw back to 12-12. With the Bulgarian who just found it twice, Sindhu took a 14-12 lead.The deep clears of the Indian sailed three times because it was 15-15. Nalbantova moved to 19-17 after the net of Sindhu was shot inside after he had kissed the net.After Sindhu had leveled things with a nice net shot, she went again for a long time when the Bulgarian had a game point, but Nalbantova squirted in the net because it was 20-20.A Forehand -Plak went to the net when the Bulgarian took a second game before he not only wasted it again, but also her depicted opponent handed the game point. Sindhu sealed it this time.Sindhu came from all the weapons that blazing after the change of the ends, and rose to a 5-1 lead with a number of aggressive returns. Nalbantova recovered to 5-6 but was irregular. Sindhu stepped up the pace with her Cross-Court attacks and led by six points during the break.It was a one-way traffic when Sindhu quickly jumped to 17-5 with her opponent who made many mistakes, including assessment calls at the backline.Sindhu grabbed 15 match points, wasted one before he sealed it with a smash.Prannoy vs OldorffPrannoy fell behind a little early, but soon found his reach to run the tables at 8-7 with his Cross-Court-Metes around the head.The Indian checked the rallies, so that his opponent turns and turns around to set up the points and end with his smashes. Prannoy moved to 10-8 with a Forehand Kruis before taking a two-point lead with a straight smash.The duo was then concerned with some energy-serving rallies when Oldorff clawed back on 16-16.But Prannoy always had his repertoire of strokes to fall back and a razor -sharp smash followed by the two casual mistakes of his opponent gave the Indian three game points.Prannoy wasted one before Oldorff sprayed a wide.After the change in the ends, the Indian led 7-4. Prannoy did not want to hurry things. He used his block, lift, let his opponent run and waited for his chances. The result was that he had a three -point pillow during the break.Prannoy continued to dominate the rallies with his opponent staggering. He soon led 17-11. Another Rond-Head Smash brought him to 19-13. He took five points and converted after Oldorff sailed for a long time.