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India's HS Prannoy made a strong start to his Paris Olympics 2024 campaign, defeating Germany's Fabian Roth in straight games. The 13th-seeded Indian showcased his dominance on Court 1 of La Chapelle Arena, winning 21-18, 21-12.
HS Prannoy Starts Paris Olympics Campaign with a Win
Initially, Prannoy took some time to acclimatize to the court conditions. However, once he found his rhythm, he appeared unstoppable. Concerns about his fitness due to a recent bout with chikungunya were put to rest as he exhibited exceptional defensive play and court coverage.
The opening game was a battle of attrition, marked by extended rallies. Fabian Roth, utilizing a diverse array of shots, kept Prannoy on the defensive. The world number 82 consistently pushed Prannoy back with his powerful drives and delicate pushes. Prannoy's initial strategy of quick exchanges, aiming to disrupt Roth's rhythm, yielded limited success. It was only when Prannoy embraced longer rallies that he began to gain the upper hand. The Indian shuttler's exceptional defense and patience in the closing stages of the first game proved to be a decisive factor, as Roth's error count increased under pressure.
The second game was a complete mismatch. Prannoy's speed and agility were far superior, allowing him to dictate the pace of the game. His delicate touch at the net proved to be a constant thorn in Roth's side. As Prannoy increased the intensity, Roth struggled to keep up. The German eventually succumbed to the Indian's dominance, losing the second game convincingly, 12-21. With only one player advancing from each group, Prannoy is expected to progress to the next round. His potential opponents in the following stage include fellow countryman Lakshya Sen or Indonesian star Jonatan Christie.
Sindhu's emphatic start
Earlier, India's badminton star PV Sindhu emphatically began her quest for a third consecutive Olympic medal with a dominant victory over Maldives' Fathimath Abdul Razzaq. The Indian ace showcased her superior skills, securing a straight-games win in just 29 minutes. The disparity in the players' abilities was evident as Sindhu effortlessly dispatched her opponent 21-9, 21-6.
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