In an intense match against Kiran George, Alex Lanier showcased his skills early on. Commentators praised the French player, highlighting his impressive physicality and an absence of weaknesses in his game. Former Denmark coach Steen Pedersen noted how Lanier rarely makes mistakes. With a 20-14 lead in the first game, it seemed like victory was within his reach.
However, Kiran George had other plans. In a thrilling comeback, he saved six game points and rallied to win the first game, ending with eight consecutive points. This moment electrified the crowd at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Kiran later dominated the match, securing his spot in the quarterfinals with a final score of 22-20, 21-13 in just 46 minutes.
The Indian team had a mix of ups and downs that day. While Kiran fought hard to win, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also had to battle back from a game down to reach the men’s doubles quarterfinals. Meanwhile, PV Sindhu comfortably advanced in her second-round match.
Kiran was the standout player of the day. World No. 38, he faced clarity despite Lanier’s previous victory over the reigning World Champion. Kiran’s consistent performance allowed him to seize control when Lanier faltered.
“The key was playing a compact game,” coach DK Sen shared. “Kiran focused on maintaining a steady pace, while Alex began to rush and struggled to keep the shuttle in play. I told Kiran to take advantage of that.”
Kiran had previously shown resilience in his opening round by narrowly beating Yushi Tanaka, which highlighted his need to patiently build points. “I focused on winning one point at a time,” Kiran explained. “That approach really helped me secure the first set. I wasn’t thinking about the lead—I just played freely.” His hard work and patience paid off, allowing him to change the game’s momentum.
In the second game, Kiran’s control became apparent as he landed powerful smashes, while Lanier’s performance dropped. His diving defenses and strategic plays thrilled the audience.
Coach Sen praised Kiran’s courage. “He has shown guts in pressure situations, which is essential. We worked on playing above fatigue, and that mental strength can make the difference in tight matches.”
As for Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, they faced a tough challenge against Japan’s Kenya Mitsuhashi and Hiroki Okamura. After a strong start, they lost the first game but regrouped to win with scores of 20-22, 21-14, 21-16 in 72 minutes. “We should have closed out the first game but made errors late that cost us,” Chirag said, emphasizing the need for sharper play in the next rounds.
Sindhu, ever the seasoned competitor, took time to adjust before defeating Japan’s Manami Suizu 21-15, 21-13. “I’m pleased with my movement and attack,” she reflected, noting that her upcoming match against Gregoria Mariska Tunjung would require more effort as the Indonesian player is known for challenging her opponents with long rallies.
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