HS Prannoy should start as firm favourite against Malaysian Lee Zii Jia, a tad brittle these past few seasons after he went independent, away from the national training centre. But he keeps fighting. Zii Jia is world no 16, as against Prannoy’s No 7. He’s talented, but perennially compared to Lee Chong Wei and hence under pressure. Prannoy is mentally sturdier and on a roll this year after winning his first big Tour title this May and World’s medal. They are 1-1 H2H. The Indian won 18-21, 21-13, 25-23 earlier this year, and had lost in 3 back in 2021, back when Zii Jia was at his peak.
Zii Jia downed world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who left clutching his back in prequarters yesterday. For Prannoy, this has been a swell draw at Hangzhou, compared to what he’s handed out routinely on the Tour.
India had Sindhu and Saina on the individual podium at Jakarta. The men – who won silver in Team – now need to step up. No medal since 1986. Asiad has been tough to medal at for Dipankar Bhattacharyya, Pullela Gopichand, Anup Sridhar, Parupalli Kashyap and Kidambi Srikanth, the top Indians over the years.
~ Shivani Naik
