As brilliant as the second set 4-0 lead with an injection of pace was for HS Prannoy, his constant pushing of the accelerator was a dead giveaway that he wanted this World Championships semifinal wrapped up in two sets.
His opponent Kunlavut Vitidsarn loves to bide his time and go after the attacking players’ desperation to finish, and his patient game at the India Open had claimed Viktor Axelsen earlier this year in a similar way.
He has the strokes of his Thai hero Boonsak Ponsana, and the defensive resilience of another idol, Kento Momota, and he’s coached by Ratchanok Intanon’s coach Udom Luangphetcharaporn, so he’s trained to prey on the restlessness of opponents while he glides around the court and makes fluid strokes without getting hassled by pace.
