Malaysia Masters 2023 badminton: India’s PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy in quarter-finals

India’s badminton ace PV Sindhu advanced into the women’s singles quarter-finals of the Malaysia Masters 2023 on Thursday.

PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, defeated world No. 28 Aya Ohori of Japan 21-16, 21-11 in the pre-quarterfinals at the Axiata Arena in the Malaysian capital to make the final eight.

Ranked 13th in the BWF world rankings, PV Sindhu started strongly in the first game and dominated her Japanese opponent to wrap up the game with ease.

In the second game, PV Sindhu carried the momentum forward and wrapped up the match in just 40 minutes.

With the win, PV Sindhu now holds a 13-0 head-to-head record over Aya Ohori. The former world champion will face China's Yi Man Zhang in the final eight.

In the men’s singles, HS Prannoy, the world No. 9, made the quarter-finals of the BWF World Tour Super 500 event with a hard-fought 13-21, 21-16, 21-11 win over reigning All England champion Li Shi Feng of the People's Republic of China.

In the first game, HS Prannoy was unable to match up to Li Shi Feng’s intensity as the Chinese shuttler cruised through to take the lead.

In the second game, HS Prannoy and Li Shi Feng fought hard to seize the upper hand and were tied at 13-13. But as the game progressed, HS Prannoy found his rhythm. The Indian won five consecutive points to seal the second game 21-16 and forced a decider.

The final game saw HS Prannoy take control as the Indian badminton player won nine consecutive points to take a 16-5 lead. Feng tried to put up a late resistance but eventually succumbed to a defeat.

HS Prannoy will next play Kenta Nishimoto of Japan for a place in the semi-finals on Friday.

Meanwhile, former world No.1 Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the men’s singles quarter-finals following a 21-19, 21-19 win over Thailand’s world No. 5 Kunlavut Vitidsarn. Commonwealth Games 2022 champion Lakshya Sen crashed out in the pre-quarterfinals after losing 21-14, 21-19 to Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long.