India’s only remaining contingent in the Japan Open too bowed out as Sai Praneeth lost to World no. 1 Kento Momota in the semi finals.
The unseeded Praneeth, who had beaten Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto in a comprehensive manner to make it to the last 4 couldn’t get past Momota as the world no. 1 made easy work of his opponent to finish the match in just 45 minutes.
Despite Praneeth taking an early 3-1 lead in the first game, his opponent clawed his way back into the tie to win the first game 21-18. Similarly in the second game, Praneeth once again posed a lead of 6-9 early on. But Momota took charge of the game from this point and ousted his opponent 21-12 to enter into the finals.
Kento Momota will now take on either Jan O Jorgensen or Jonatan Christie on Sunday for $750,000 prize money.
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