Malaysia Open: Unlikely Duo Keep Japan Smiling
Japan’s men’s singles fans aggrieved by the two-time world champion’s withdrawal on the eve of PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2023 will now get to watch not one, but two shuttlers representing them in tomorrow’s semifinals.
· PREM KUMAR
No Kento Momota, no problem.
Kodai Naraoka, winner of the Eddy Choong Most Promising Player of the Year Award just last month, showed no signs of slowing down as he booked his spot first, overcoming an exhausted Prannoy H. S. 21-16 19-21 21-10.
“I stuck to the same plan in the first two games. I could sense he was getting tired in the decider so I became more front-footed,” said the 21-year-old.