Veteran Indian shuttler HS Prannoy showcased his trademark resilience once again, fighting from a game down to beat Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke 19-21, 21-16, 21-14 and enter the Round of 16 at the Singapore Open Super 750 tournament.
In a tournament that began on a disappointing note for Indian fans—with three first-round exits including Priyanshu Rajawat, Anmol Kharb, and Rakshitha Ram—Prannoy’s gritty performance brought some much-needed relief. The 32-year-old showed his experience and composure under pressure, refusing to be rattled even after losing the opening game.
A Gritty Start and a Strong Finish
The first game was a closely fought affair, with both players exchanging points in a neck-and-neck contest. While Prannoy played with good intent, a couple of unforced errors late in the game allowed Gemke to edge ahead and take it 21-19.
But the Indian star regrouped quickly, adjusting his strategy by bringing in sharper angles and greater control at the net. His improved shot selection and tactical shifts began to frustrate Gemke, and Prannoy took the second game 21-16.
With momentum on his side and the fitness to outlast his opponent in longer rallies, Prannoy asserted control in the decider. He opened up a solid mid-game lead and never looked back, closing out the match with a 21-14 win in the third game to book his spot in the last 16.
OGs Still Leading the Charge
Prannoy’s win came at a time when India’s singles campaign was struggling to find momentum at the Singapore Open.
Rising stars like Priyanshu Rajawat—who suffered his 7th first-round exit of the year—couldn’t get past higher-ranked opponents. Priyanshu lost in three games to Japan’s Kodai Naraoka (21-14, 10-21, 14-21), while Anmol Kharb and Rakshitha Ram also fell to straight-game defeats against Chen Yu Fei and Kim Ga Eun respectively.
With India’s young brigade faltering, it was once again the “OGs” of Indian badminton—a term affectionately used by fans to refer to seasoned stars—who carried the flag forward. Just last week, Kidambi Srikanth reached the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Masters, and now, Prannoy and former champion PV Sindhu have made it to the second round in Singapore.
Sindhu, who had won the Singapore Open back in 2022, comfortably progressed in straight games earlier in the day, reaffirming her return to form.
Next Challenge: Christo Popov
Prannoy now sets up a Round of 16 clash against France’s Christo Popov, a young and fast-rising talent who’s known for his aggressive court coverage. While Popov poses a new challenge, Prannoy’s recent form and experience in navigating tight matches make him a strong contender.
Currently ranked just outside the world’s top 10, Prannoy has had an inconsistent 2025 season so far, but matches like this show he’s still a threat on the biggest stages. His ability to adjust mid-match, wear down opponents physically, and produce high-quality rallies at crunch moments continues to define his game.
With the Paris 2024 Olympics now behind us, attention has shifted to Olympic cycle rebuilding and World Tour Finals qualification. A deep run at a Super 750 event like Singapore can give Prannoy not just valuable ranking points but also help maintain his status among the elite, especially with younger players vying for spots in big-ticket events.
For Indian fans, the victory is also an emotional reminder of Prannoy’s role in keeping Indian men’s singles relevant on the global stage. In an era where many peers have seen their form dip or fallen out of the top tier, Prannoy continues to dig deep and deliver when it matters most.
As the Singapore Open progresses, all eyes will be on HS Prannoy and PV Sindhu to carry Indian hopes forward. In a transitional phase for Indian badminton, it’s the seasoned warriors who are once again rising to the occasion.
The road to the quarterfinals won’t be easy, but if there’s one thing Prannoy has built his career on, it’s persistence. And today, that grit shone through in Singapore.
Next Match:
🇮🇳 HS Prannoy vs 🇫🇷 Christo Popov – Round of 16
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