HS Prannoy’s return match after Paris 2024 was completed in two days on Wednesday at the Malaysia Open 2025.
The World No.26, eventually, defeated Canada’s Brian Yang 21-12, 17-21, 21-15 to advance to the pre-quarterfinals at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
The match was suspended on Tuesday at 21-11, 9-11 due to roof leakage.
“A win after a long break… fittingly, in a match that took one too! Moving on to the next,” the Thiruvananthapuram-native said.
In the men’s doubles, World No.6 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik overcame an early wobble against America’s Presley Smith-Chen Zhi Yi to clinch a hard-fought 21-15, 16-21, 21-8 victory in a R32 clash which lasted for 58 minutes.
After a strong first game, the home favorites caused unforced errors in the second to take the match to a decider where they prevailed with ease.
Recalling the challenges on the court, Wooi Yik said: “The draft was against us in the second game, which favoured their attacking play and caused our speed to drop. We struggled to adjust
“We’re not too worried, though. We know what we need to do and will stick to our game plan.”
Aaron highlighted their focus on improving physical conditioning as they aim for a strong start to the year.
“We are gradually improving our fitness. It’s a new year, and we need to get back on track,” said Aaron.
The double Olympic medalists are still to win a title on home soil.
Malaysia Open Badminton 2025 Results:
FIRST ROUND
Men’s singles: Toma Junior Popov (Fra) bt Jonatan Christie (Ina) 21-8, 14-21, 26-24; Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) bt Alex Lanier (Fra) 21-11, 12-21, 23-21; Li Shi Feng (Chn) bt Priyanshu Rajawat (Ind) 21-11, 21-16; Koki Watanabe (Jpn) bt Loh Kean Yew (Sin) 21-13, 21-18; Anthony Ginting (Ina) bt Lee Chia Hao (Tai) 21-12, 21-19; Anders Antonsen (Den) bt Wang Tzu Wei (Tai) 21-17, 21-10; Kodai Naraoka (Jpn) bt Christo Popov (Fra) 23-21, 21-9.
Doubles: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (Mas) bt Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith (US) 21-15, 16-21, 21-10; Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (Mas) bt Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto (Ina) 15-21, 21-17, 21-13; Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang (Chn) bt Kim Gi Jung-Kim Sa Rang (Kor) 21-18, 21-18; Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae (Kor) bt Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King (Mas) 21-17, 21-11.
Women’s singles: Yeo Jia Min (Sin) bt Sung Shuo Yun (Tai) 21-16, 21-13; Wang Zhi Yi (Chn) bt Hsu Wen Chi (Tai) 21-9, 21-13; Malvika Bansod (Ind) bt Goh Jin Wei (Mas) 21-15, 21-16; Han Yue (Chn) bt Pai Yu Po (Tai) 22-20, 21-7.
Doubles: Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong (Kor) bt Yeung Nga Ting-Yeung Pui Lam (HK) 21-12, 21-9; Li Yi Jing-Luo Xu Min (Chn) bt Fan Ka Yan-Yau Mau Ying (HK) 21-14, 21-14; Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto (Jpn) bt Julie MacPherson-Ciara Torrence (Sco) 21-16, 21-17; Misaki Matsumoto-Chiharu Shida (Jpn) bt Tanisha Crasto-Ashwini Ponnappa (Ind) 23-21, 21-12; Sung Shuo Yun-Yu Chien Hui (Tai) bt Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting 21-15, 21-15.
Mixed doubles: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai (Mas) bt Presley Smith-Jennie Gai (US) 21-15, 21-19; Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi (Chn) bt Robin Tabeling-Alexandra Boje (Ned-Den) 21-8, 21-12; Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin (Chn) bt Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat (Tha) 18-21, 21-8, 23-21.