Parupalli Kashyap Stuns World No. 1 Chen Long to Reach Indonesia Open Badminton Semis

File photo of Parupalli Kashyap.

© PTI

India’s 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning shuttler Parupalli Kashyap stunned China’s world No.1 and top seed Chen Long 14-21, 21-17, 21-14 to reach the semi-finals of the $800,000 Indonesia Open Superseries Premier here on Friday.

Reigning world champion Chen began on a positive note against world No.12 Kashyap, winning seven consecutive points to clinch the first game 21-14 at ease at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

But the Indian came back strongly to win three consecutive points to level up things by taking the set 21-17, in what can be called a close encounter.

The deciding set saw Kashyap in full flow right from the word go. Winning five consecutive points to take a healthy lead which made life difficult for the top seed to come back into the match.

By winning 21 points out of 35 played, Kashyap sealed the game 21-14 and the match, thus booking his place in the semi-finals.

With this win, Kashyap also improved his head-to-head record against the Chinese to 2-7.

Later in the day, world No.3 Saina Nehwal faces world No.7 Wang Shixian in quarter-finals.