Subhankar Dey crashes out of Denmark Open 2020 after first round loss

The Indian badminton player held his own in the early phases but failed to carry on the form as the match progressed.

2 minBy Utathya Nag
Indian badminton player Subhankar Dey is out of the Denmark Open 2020.

Subhankar Dey became the first Indian badminton player to bow out of the Denmark Open 2020 after a 21-13, 21-8 loss in his first round match against Canada’s Jason Anthony Ho-Shue at Odense on Wednesday**.**

There wasn’t much to choose between the two shuttlers in the opening phase of the first game as Dey and Ho-Shue traded points. After 5-5, however, the Canadian broke free to build up an 11-8 lead heading into the mid-game break.

Dey almost clawed his way back reducing the deficit to just one at 12-11, but Ho-Shue won the next seven points on the bounce before closing out the first game 21-13.

The Canadian shuttler rode the momentum into the second game and dominated from start to end to clinch it by a convincing 21-8 margin.

On the back of his victory, Ho-Shue will next play another Indian in former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, who progressed to the pre-quarterfinals courtesy of a 21-12, 21-18 win over Englishman Toby Penty in his first round clash.

Lakshya Sen has also progressed to the last 16 after his win over Frenchman Christo Popov.

Ajay Jayaram falls short at opening hurdle

The other Indian in action, Ajay Jayaram, too bowed out of the competiton following a 12-21, 14-21 loss to third seed and the local favourite Anders Antonsen.

Making his 14th appearance at the Denmark Open, the 33-year-old Indian was hoping for a fruitful outing in Odense.

Ajay Jayaram started well by prolonging the rallies in the opening game against the 23-year-old Dane. But as the match progressed, Anders Antonsen found his rhythm and was created openings at will to pocket his points.

The second game too followed a similar pattern with Ajay Jayaram playing catch-up after an initial flurry of points before losing the match to a body smash from Anders Antonsen.