Australian Open: HS Prannoy clinches spot in final, defeats Priyanshu Rajawatin in all-Indian SFs clash

Melbourne [Australia], August 5 (ANI): India's star shuttler HS Prannoy on Saturday produced a fine performance at the Quaycentre Court 1 to defeat compatriot Priyanshu Rajawat in straight games in the semifinal to clinch a spot in the final of the ongoing Australian Open 2023. 
Prannoy overwhelmed world No. 31 Rajawat 21-18, 21-12 to make his second final of the 2023 BWF season.
Both Indian shuttles Prannoy and Rajawat went toe-to-toe in the all-Indian semifinal encounter. As the match progressed, both Indian badminton players competed to gain an advantage.
With the scores tied at 18-all, Prannoy won three consecutive points to take the lead in the match.
Prannoy maintained his lead in the second game, racing to a 7-3 lead. Rajawat, on the other hand, won four consecutive points to tie the game at 7-all.
The 31-year-old Prannoy, on the other hand, stepped up his game and led 11-7 at the half. Prannoy crushed Rajawat, winning the match in 43 minutes and securing a spot in the final.
On Sunday, Prannoy will compete in the final against Weng Hong Yang of the People's Republic of China. In his top-four match, the world No. 24 Chinese shuttler defeated Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia, a former All-England champion.
PV Sindhu tumbled out in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Friday, thus ending India's campaign in the women's singles. (ANI)