India’s Prannoy seals historic Thomas Cup badminton finals berth, sets up clash with defending champions Indonesia
- H.S. Prannoy overcomes injury scare to down 13th ranked Rasmus Gemke with semi-final tied at 2-2
- Danish world champion Viktor Axelsen got his side off to a flying start but it wasn’t enough
H.S. Prannoy overcame an injury scare to secure the vital point as India shocked Denmark in Thailand early on Saturday to reach the finals of the Thomas Cup for the first time.
Danish world champion Viktor Axelsen had provided some early inspiration in the semi-finals for his team – making quick work of India’s Lakshya Sen – sealing victory in 49 minutes, 21-13, 21-13.
Axelsen said he had wanted to “give some power to my teammates” but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.
In the end, India and Denmark were deadlocked in a 2-2 tie, and 13th ranked out-of-form Rasmus Gemke was unable to overcome Prannoy, who is 23rd in the world.
Prannoy suffered a nasty slip and injury scare in the first game which he lost 13-21.
But it was all one-way traffic in game two and three – Gemke who was playing in his first tournament all year didn’t have the match fitness to cope after an injury-plagued 2021.
Prannoy galloped away to victory 21-9, 21-12, as his teammates danced and cheered. India will now face defending champions Indonesia in Sunday’s final.
World No 2 Kento Momota from Japan, suffered his second defeat of the week, coming off second best to Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting, 21-13, 14-21, 21-12, as Indonesia beat Japan 3-2.