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Sai Praneeth goes down fighting to top seed Momota at Japan Open

The Indian lost 18-21, 12-21 in a semifinal lasting 45 minutes. Momota had also beaten Sai at the Singapore Open earlier this year.

Published: 27th July 2019 12:51 PM  |   Last Updated: 27th July 2019 12:51 PM   |  A+A A-

Sai Praneeth B. of India hits a return during his men's singles semi-final match against Kento Momota of Japan at the Japan Open badminton tournament, a test event ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo. (Photo | AFP)

Sai Praneeth B. of India hits a return during his men's singles semi-final match against Kento Momota of Japan at the Japan Open badminton tournament, a test event ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo. (Photo | AFP)

By PTI

TOKYO: India's challenge at the Japan Open ended with Sai Praneeth's loss to top seed and home hero Kento Momota in the semifinals here on Saturday.

The Indian lost 18-21, 12-21 in a semifinal lasting 45 minutes. Momota had also beaten Sai at the Singapore Open earlier this year.

Sai had made the Japan Open semifinals beating Indonesia's Tommy Sugiarto here on Friday.

India's challenge in the women's singles ended on Friday when P V Sindhu lost to Akane Yamaguchi in the quarterfinals. The Japanese shuttler had also defeated Sindhu in the Indonesia Open final last week.