China’s Big Guns Out – Day 1: BLIBLI Indonesia Open 2018
China’s Men’s Singles aspirations took a significant hit in today’s first-round action at the BLIBLI Indonesia Open 2018 with the demises of Chen Long and Lin Dan.
· GAYLE ALLEYNE
A gritty, never-say-die comeback from Brice Leverdez (featured image) thwarted Chen’s quest to reach the second round in Jakarta while HS Prannoy shrugged off illness, which had laid him low in the recent days, to oust Chen’s team-mate. Not for the first time the Indian found a way past the five-time World champion who, despite flying through the second game, fell away in the crucial end stage of the match.
Lin looked ready to strike in the decider at 13-14 down, having narrowed the gap from 7-12. However, Prannoy acted decisively in key moments, striking some big winners to close the proceedings 21-15 9-21 21-14.
“It’s good I was able to play well, especially in these tricky conditions. I won some important rallies in the middle of the third game and those points really helped me,” noted the winner.