Prannoy bows out in last-8

OSAKA: HS Prannoy went down fighting in the men’s singles quarter-final against World Championships bronze medallist Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei here on Friday, bringing down the curtains on India’s campaign at the Japan Open. The 30-year-old Indian played out of his skin and saved three match points, only to endure the agony of losing the contest in the end. Chou emerged victorious 21-17, 15-21, 22-20 in a pulsating match that lasted an hour and 20 minutes. One of the most consistent India players in the circuit this season, Prannoy recovered well from an opening game reversal and kept breathing down his opponent’s neck until the last point. But, Chou’s perseverance saw him through to the semi-finals of the Super 750 tournament.