US Open: Shuttlers Prannoy, Kashyap eye final spot

Indian shuttlers Parupalli Kashyap and HS Prannoy will aim to book their place in the finals of the US Open Grand Prix Gold when they take on their respective opponents in the men's singles last-four clash here in Anaheim on Saturday.

Yesterday, second-seed Prannoy rebounded strongly from a set down to register a 10-21, 21-15, 21-18 win over eighth seed Kanta Tuneyama of Japan in a thrilling quarter-final clash that lasted exactly an hour.

Kashyap, on the other hand, stormed into the semi-finals after a relatively easier win over compatriot and fifth seed Sameer Verma with the former clinching a 21-13, 21-16 victory in 40 minutes.

Former World No.6 Kashyap, who was making a comeback to the badminton court after a spare of injuries, had registered his second win over Verma in as many meetings.

While Prannoy will now lock horns with 15th seed Tien Minh Nguyen of Vietanam, Kashyap will take on Korea's Kwang Hee HEO for a place in the summit showdown.

Meanwhile, third seeds Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy had earlier also made it to the last-four after sweeping aside top seeds Lu Ching Yao and Yang Po Han of Chinese Taipei in the men's doubles event.

The Indian pair will now face a tough challenge when they take on top seeds Lu Ching Yao and Yang Po Han of Chinese Taipei later today.