Prannoy lost to Popov in the first round and crashed out of the All-England badminton championship. Fans didn’t expect this to happen, but the badminton star couldn’t make a mark for himself.
Being the former World Number 6, the Indian badminton star could hardly make a name for himself. The French badminton player, Popov, pushed Prannoy out in the very first round.
Recent Records of H.S. Prannoy
H.S. Prannoy has faced a tough start to 2025, struggling to progress in significant badminton tournaments.
His latest setback came at the All England Open 2025, where he was knocked out in the first round by France’s Toma Junior Popov. Prannoy lost in straight sets (19-21, 16-21) despite having an early lead in the first game. The match lasted 53 minutes, but he couldn’t hold off Popov’s comeback.
Earlier this year, he also had disappointing runs at:
- India Open 2025 – First-round exit
- Orleans Masters 2025 – Second-round exit
Despite these recent struggles, Prannoy remains a strong competitor. He previously won bronze medals at the 2023 World Championships and the Asian Games, proving his capability at the highest level.
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A Tight First Set
Even though Prannoy lost the match in the end, he had a 4-point lead right at the starting set, which was surprisingly given away. Yet, Popov made a mark for himself.
The first set was all about close calls. Prannoy did take the lead with a 5-1 score, but Junior Popov came back quickly. He went on to catch Prannoy 6-6 and later to 11-11.
Even for the viewers, it was hard to decide who would go on to make an impact. Prannoy once again caught up with a 15-12 lead, which later became 18-18. Interestingly, the French badminton player won the last three points and took the first set.
Fluctuating Second Set
Prannoy lost to Popov, but the game was much closer than you think. Even in the second set, Popov and Prannoy were fighting close, 7-6. Later, the lead went on to Popov, 13- 9.
The Indian badminton star did try his best to level the score, which was 13-13 and later 16-13, meaning that Prannoy didn’t have much of a chance.
In the end, Junior Popov went on to win the second set by a margin of 21-16. The game lasted 53 minutes, and the French team won.
What’s Next for Prannoy?
Prannoy’s early exit from the All-England Open 2025 is undoubtedly a setback, especially considering his strong performances in recent years, including bronze medals at the 2023 World Championships and the Asian Games. His recent struggles, including first-round exits at both the India Open and the All England Open, highlight the challenges he has faced in maintaining consistent form.
However, Prannoy remains one of India’s most experienced and skilled players. His ability to compete against top-ranked opponents and his track record of making comebacks suggest that he will be determined to turn things around.
Other Results of Badminton Players
All-England badminton has been a mixed bag. The superstar Lakshya Sen won the game against Su Li Yang and reached the second round.
This game took place at Utilita Arena in Birmingham. Similarly, Malvika Bansod also moved to the pre-quarterfinals of the BWF Super 1000 after winning over Yeo Jia Min in 1 hour and 3 minutes.
On the other hand, Sathish Kumar Karunakaran and Adya Variyah lost their game against Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui. This shows that Indian badminton players had mixed feelings about the competition in general.
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