There is the small matter of successful on the large days, for HS Prannoy. “I actually believe he’s a big-match player,” insists Anup Sridhar, with whom Prannoy educated for 10-12 weeks within the 2021 autumn earlier than the Bali swing. The 29-year-old, ranked 21 on the earth, isn’t fazed by the large names, as all his scalps, Chen Long, Lin Dan, Chong Wei, Viktor Axelsen, reveal.
On Thursday on the Malaysian Super 750, it was World No 4 Chou Tien Chen, whom he cleaned up 21-15, 21-7 – courtside, coach Siyadatullah had a sniffling smile, and later mentioned: “He attacked so well from 11-7 in the second, Chou didn’t score a single point. It was actually the disadvantage side, but his attack was excellent as he kept the shuttle down.”
On Friday – and the remainder of the weekend hopefully – Prannoy might want to hold his head down, and switch as much as personal the large match days. That he hasn’t gained a Super title but, is each a millstone across the neck and a maze to barter in what has been essentially the most constant section of his profession. That Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen and Sai Praneeth have these titles, and somebody with arguably equal expertise and functionality doesn’t, piques the thriller.
“He believes he can win,” Anup says, including, “If Prannoy plays at his pace, he starts 50-50 against any top player. There’s nothing lacking.” Against Chou, Prannoy mastered the wild drift on the Axiata in Kuala Lumpur, the place the shuttle is quick from one facet and tremendous gradual from the opposite. Not letting the fowl drift – actually – from the quick facet, and ranging the tempo to not get retrieved on a loop is the problem. He struck good lengths to go away Chou clueless. “He’ll need to be a little more aggressive against Jonatan Christie. He shows aggression, but now he plays clever too,” Siyadath says.
World No 8 Christie beat him to the Swiss title earlier, and some items of the puzzle may be gleaned from then. “I’d presume 90 percent of the reason for him not having the big title is physical if his body completely drains out and muscles tire. I don’t see any problem in his tactics,” Anup insists including the title breakthrough shall be essential if he aspires to Top 10 or Top 5.
The losses and ousters on the enterprise finish have been invariably straight set affairs, deflating and fairly plainly flat submissions – pointing to depleting power reserves because the week wears on. Christie isn’t any slouch, and Prannoy might want to get into the highest gamers’ front-runner mode to beat the Indonesian. That is, decide quick finish if he wins the toss prepping for the second half of the third sport. Then push the tempo early within the opener and go all-out, even when it means a lull within the second and pushing laborious within the third.
Anthony Ginting is a runner, Christie extra of an all-round participant, very canny and with a love for backing opponents into deep corners. Prannoy has the laborious drive from the again hand again nook to get out of bother, however his judgment on the forehand again nook shall be examined if the Swiss last is to go by.
At Bangalore, Anup was satisfied that opposite to fashionable notion, Prannoy hadn’t lapsed into negativity earlier than he struck kind in 2022 together with the Thomas Cup high-pressure thrillers. “He got leaner, and I saw rhythm in his game where you feel the entire court is covered,” he remembers. Over six-corner routines and 3-on-1 protection, Prannoy grew sharper, whereas Anup noticed that at Hyderabad later, his reflexes received snappier bolstering his protection, to again his assault.
Yet, the Finals Sundays haven’t been as frequent as he’d like. “Unnecessary haste can be a confidence issue. But he didn’t panic during the Thomas Cup, so I think it’s a matter of time,” he says. It’s one thing Siyadath should hold drilling into his ears on Friday. “He’s been very consistent since the Swiss Open, but sometimes he rushes and errors happen. It’s very tough to get a point out of Prannoy. Opponents get points only if he errs. When he attacks well and gets his length, he’s unstoppable,” he says. Breaking Christie’s protection would be the key. Prannoy typically must get a great really feel of his personal protection, and rhythm shall be essential to get previous the Indonesian, who leads 5-3 of their profession face to face.
Two of Prannoy’s 3 wins got here from three setters, 23-21 and 21-19, and one other lengthy drawn match is to be anticipated. The anti-climax after the large wins has been a recurring theme for Prannoy, for the reason that giant-killing 2017 season. The giant-slayer must now hunt the large event down.
