9.45 pm: Here’s how the finals are scheduled to play out on Sunday. Join us then.
Highlights: Lovely win from a game down for Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly to enter the women’s doubles final. Four young players giving it their all. Highlights, if you missed it.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 16-21, 12-21 Malaysia: Not to be, for an all-Indian final in men’s doubles. Dhruv Kapila and MR Arjun started well but didn’t have answers once the Malaysians warmed up and got into a groove
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 16-21, 11-20 Malaysia: Match points galore for the Malaysians.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 16-21, 9-18 Malaysia: Slipping away fast for the Indians. They have not been their usual energetic selves. Underwhelming performance, one has to wonder if they are physically at it.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 16-21, 8-15 Malaysia: Finally one of the longer rallies goes the Indians’ way. A late resurgence on the cards? Not with errors like the one Dhruv just made, with a crosscourt.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 16-21, 6-14 Malaysia: Another long rally, this one more even on attack and defence but no difference in the result.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 16-21, 6-13 Malaysia: Oh more sensational defence from the Malaysians! Dhruv simply couldn’t find a way past.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 16-21, 4-11 Malaysia: A good smash down the middle from Dhruv... but immediately the Malaysians get the serve back and take a big lead. The Indians need to regroup and do so quickly.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 16-21, 2-9 Malaysia: The pace of men’s doubles is so maddening that comebacks are not easy from massive deficits... oh what a rally! A stunning display of defence from Man/Tee and a 31-shot rally goes their way when the Indians had chance after chance to kill it.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 16-21, 1-8 Malaysia: All Malaysia at the moment... the fourth seeds are in trouble. The solitary point in the second game so far came from a service fault for India.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 16-21 Malaysia: The Malaysians found their groove after the mid-game interval and just ran away it. The flatter exchanges have not gone the way of Dhruv/Arjun and they have dropped the opening game 16-21.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 15-20 Malaysia: Five game points to the Malaysians.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 14-18 Malaysia: The flatter exchanges are favouring the Malaysians. They are not giving the height to the Indians and now it is a big lead for the Malaysians.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 13-13 Malaysia: The Malaysians fight back again.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 11-9 Malaysia: Close start, then the Indians pulled ahead, then the Malaysians fought back but on the back of a series of big smashes from Dhruv/Arjun... a lead at the interval.
Men’s doubles semifinals, India 6-6 Malaysia: Close start to this match. The Indians are world No 42, the Malaysians world No 65.
Men’s doubles semifinals: Time for the last semifinal... fourth seeds from India vs eighth seeds from Malaysia. Vishnu/Krishna await in the final.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 21-8, 21-16 Malaysia Women’s doubles at the highest level is often about long rallies... not just defence, but the quality of defensive shots & the options to kill points. Most heartening to see Gayatri Gopichand & Treesa Jolly show that in their game today
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 21-8, 21-16 Malaysia: Into the final! Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly come from a game down to defeat Malaysia’s Low/Siow in a 63-minute battle. Some wonderful rallies in this match. The Indians will face another Malaysian pair, ranked higher than their opponents today, in the final tomorrow.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 21-8, 20-15 Malaysia: Another long rally, another one that goes India’s way! This one gives them six match points. One of them is saved with a body smash at Gayatri.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 21-8, 19-14 Malaysia: Another mini resurgence for the Malaysians. They are closing the gap down from 9-18.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 21-8, 16-9 Malaysia: A 41-shot rally at 12-9 and the Indians take that point. Really crucial, if that had gone the Malaysians’ way it would have been a big boost. Gayatri took a couple of shuttles that she could have let go out perhaps but Treesa judges well in the end to see a shuttle long. Soon after another big lead in the decider.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 21-8, 11-8 Malaysia: Big miscommunication there for the Indians... signs of nerves! But a service fault means Gayatri and Treesa do have a handy 3-point lead at the change of ends.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 21-8, 10-7 Malaysia: ...and a mini comeback after that medical break. How often do we see that eh? Both the Indians have mishit a couple of drives to the backcourt.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 21-8, 9-3 Malaysia: Medical attention for Siow, seems to be an issue with her leg (could also be tactical, for all we know)
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 21-8, 9-3 Malaysia: The Indians, like they did earlier as well, are back on the court in no time after an interval. Intent to show their aggression here after a sluggish start. Despite 2nd game scoreline, this could still be tight... but a 37-shot rally followed by a kill at the net, and the Indians have a big lead in the decider!
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 21-8 Malaysia: DECIDER! After those long rallies at the start of 2nd game, the Indians really put their foot down and dominated rest of the game. 21-8. Gayatri Gopichand / Treesa Jolly have the momentum ahead of 3rd.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 18-8 Malaysia: The Indians continue to play good aggressive badminton. The Malaysians seem to be conserving now for the decider (or getting tired)
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 11-5 Malaysia: ...followed by a 63-shot rally, that is also won by the Indians. Gayatri with a brilliant crosscourt kill at the net. Eventually, a handy lead into the mid-game interval.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 7-4 Malaysia: A 45-shot rally! And it goes the Indian’s way. Typical WD badminton from both pairs and it is making for great viewing at the moment. That’s followed by a 54-shot rally, the longest of the match. Also goes the Indians’ way. Brilliant.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21, 4-2 Malaysia: A pumped Treesa in the opening exchanges, she is taking charge from the back court while Gayatri is trying to make her mark at the net.
Women’s doubles semifinals, India 17-21 Malaysia: A better second half of the opening game for the Indian youngsters but the Low / Siow take it 21-17. Gayatri / Treesa are quickly back on court for the 2nd game. Can they force a decider?
Women’s doubles semifinals: The Indians are able to return the shuttles on defence but the blocks and lifts are a bit too short to prolong rallies. WD is often about the quality of defensive shots not just defending in itself. Four game points for the Malaysians as Treesa misses a forehand smash.
Women’s doubles semifinals: Gayatri taking charge in the little phase, helping the Indians close the gap down to 14-17 and then Treesa with a nice crosscourt smash to make it 15-18.
Women’s doubles semifinals: More aggression from the Indians since the interval and that is forcing some errors from the Malaysians. But Low/Siow are also showing their great all-round skills at the moment. Big lead at 17-11.
Women’s doubles semifinals: Gayatri with a nicely placed smash down the middle to close the gap to 7-9 but the Indians are not helping their case with errors. Treesa nets a backhand and the Indians trail 7-11 at the interval.
Women’s doubles semifinals: A terrific long rally (not uncommon at the highest level of WD) goes the way of the Indians on the back of strong defence. But the Malaysians seem to have a bit more attacking options at this stage. They lead 8-4.
Women’s doubles semifinals: Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand about to start their women’s doubles semifinals. Looking forward to see how they fare in this one. Their opponents, Malaysian youngsters. Two 19-year-olds. Should be a good test.
Men’s singles: Lovely celebration in the end as Clarebout defeats Nguyen. After an all-Thailand women’s singles final at India Open, we have an all-France men’s singles final at Syed Modi International. Have to be glad for them to have travelled to India for these events
Men’s singles: What a battle this is. Nguyen is not able to move all that well but he refuses to go down without a fight.
Men’s singles: This is going the distance. Will we have an all-French final?
Men’s doubles semifinals: Krishna Prasad/Vishnuvardhan Panjala ease through to the final. Too good for their fellow Indian pairing. Can MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila make it all-Indian affair?
Men’s doubles semifinals: Krishna/Vishnu looking comfortable in this one.
Men’s doubles semifinals: Vishnu/Krishna take a handy 11-7 lead into the interval. Not many long rallies in this one so far.
Men’s doubles semifinals: One place in the final guaranteed from here, can Krishna Prasad Garaga and Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala live up to their billing? Could set up a cracking match against Arjun/Dhruv if they win their doubles tie later.
Women’s doubles: India Open finalists finish in the semifinals at Syed Modi. Good couple of weeks for Ashna/Haritha. Gayatri/Treesa in action later to find a place in the final.
Women’s singles semifinals, PV Sindhu 21-11, 0-0 (RETD) Evgeniya Kosestskaya: With a good round-the-head winner, Sindhu takes the first game. And it really doesn’t look like the Russian is in good shape. Yes, indeed she has called the referee on court to indicate she won’t be able to carry on. One can only hope it is nothing serious at this point.
Women’s singles semifinals, PV Sindhu 18-10 Evgeniya Kosestskaya: Sindhu is in a hurry.
Women’s singles semifinals, PV Sindhu 14-9 Evgeniya Kosestskaya: Better from the Russian since the break but helped by a few mishit shots from Sindhu, into the net and missing the lines. It also does look like EK is struggling a bit with her movement.
Women’s singles semifinals, PV Sindhu 11-5 Evgeniya Kosestskaya: In just 5 minutes, Sindhu has sped to a solid lead. EK is surely a better player than what she is showing at the moment. Quick word from Coach Park and we move on.
Women’s singles semifinals, PV Sindhu 10-4 Evgeniya Kosestskaya: A couple of good points for the Russian at the front and back-end of the court, with a drop and a lift. But the match is very much on Sindhu’s racket.
Women’s singles semifinals, PV Sindhu 6-2 Evgeniya Kosestskaya: For starters, EK (for blogging purposes) is a right-hander so that’s right up Sindhu’s territory. The Indian has raced to a 5-1 lead (and the one Russian point coming via a review). Good signs for Sindhu early on, solid start.
Women’s singles semifinals, PV Sindhu vs Evgeniya Kosestskaya: This is their third meeting. Kosestskaya is ranked No 28 in the world. Can Sindhu assert her dominance here?
Men’s singles semifinals: Merkle wins 21-19, 17-21, 21-9. Manjunath just didn’t turn up for the final game. Too many unforced errors from the Indian to begin the game and then never managed to get going. The first two games were very tight but perhaps fitness became an issue here as well.
Women’s singles semifinals: Malvika Bansod prevails! The left-hander found her range, rhythm just in time to reach the final. Great fight shown by 16-yr-old Anupama Upadhyaya & she was a couple of points away from a big win. In the end the 20-year-old “veteran” shows her experience and books her place in the final. We can all hope it is versus PV Sindhu as that would be a brilliant battle for Indian fans.
Men’s singles semifinals: Merkle leads 11-4 at the mid-game break in the decider. Manjunath has been too error-prone to start with and he has left himself with a lot of work to be done.
Men’s singles semifinals: A daunting task facing Mithun here, trails 4-11 in the decider.
Men’s singles semifinals: Merkle has jumped to a 6-0 lead in the third game and this poor start might come back to haunt Manjunath.
Women’s singles semifinals: And now Anupama starting to feel the physical strain of the match. Fought so, so hard in the first two games... was two points away from a win but is unable to string together rallies now. Understandable for a 16-year-old. Trails 4-11 in the decider.
Men’s singles semifinals: Manjunath prevails in a tight game 21-17 and the match goes into the decider. The Indian was making most of big plays in the second half but was also making a few unforced errors. He finally got it together in the end. Merkle still in this though. The match has gone on for more than an hour already and it might come down to fitness.
Women’s singles semifinals: After that mini interruption that seemingly helped her to gather herself, Malvika Bansod wins FIVE STRAIGHT POINTS. Decider! Wow. Meanwhile, game points for Manjunath.
Women’s singles semifinals: Looked like a rally had to be stopped mid-point because of a leak on the court. Maybe that break helped? Malvika with two fantastic points after the mini break... and the gap is down to 1. Oh another big point from the leftie, error from Anupama and it is 19-19!
Women’s singles semifinals: Huge backhand error from Malvika, and the teenager has 18-16 lead. And then another drop shot that falls just wide! Malvika trails 16-19. Wow.
Women’s singles semifinals: A 31 or 32-shot rally at 13-15 that needed everything that Malvika had to find a way to win the point! Soon after, it is 15-15, then 16-16.
Men’s Singles semifinals: Merkle with a 11-9 lead at the mid-game break in game 2. It has been a tight contest all the way with little to choose between the two players. It is going to come down to the little things. Manjunath under pressure as he has already lost the first game
Singles semifinals: Mithun and Malvika are in need of comebacks... will we see deciders in either of these matches?
Women’s singles: A 13-8 lead for Anupama and now this is getting to now-or-never territory for Malvika. She responds with three straight points to close the gap to 11-13.
Women’s singles: she was traiing 2-5, 3-6 but Anupama has kept rallying and rallying and on the back of a couple of missed shots from Bansod, has moved into a 11-8 lead at the interval! Well, well.
Women’s singles Gripping game of women’s singles on court 2! At 18-18, a gruelling 36-shot rally where Anupama was constantly on the backfoot but somehow ended up winning the point. She holds her nerve and takes the opening game against Malvika. Look how close that was! More of the same in game 2 as it is 6-6 after Bansod opened up a lead.
Singles semifinals: Manjunath saved one game point but Merkle takes the game after a super rally.
Singles semifinals: It’s Anupama who keeps taking a mini lead and Bansod who is having to close it back down... but after a brilliant crosscourt at the net and then an error from the teen, Bansod moves ahead 18-17. Make it 18-18 now as Anupama plays another superb push to the backcourt, she has played that really well.
Singles semifinals: Anupama Upadhyaya is not making it one bit easy for Malvika Bansod. This has been a very entertaining opening game so far, back-and-forth between two feisty shuttlers ,16-16. Mithun meanwhile is keeping things close against Merkle but the Frenchman now leads 19-17.
Singles semifinals: 16-16 in the men’s singles SF, 13-13 in the women’s singles SF! Superb battles.. Some fantastic rallies in the women’s match, where more of our attention is at the moment.
Women’s singles semifinals: Malvika giving up some easy points but credit to Anupama as well for staying patient... she has produced a couple of lovely touches at the net for winners too. 8-8, 9-9 in this opening game. The youngster perhaps the more impressive player in these opening exchanges! And as I say that a terrific crosscourt winner by Bansod at the net.
In the men’s singles SF, Mithun Manjunath leads 14-13.
Women’s singles semifinals: Anupama and Malvika met recently in the Chennai edition of the BAI Senior Ranking event and Malvika had won then in straight games. But she is off to a error-strewn start here, trailing 1-4.
Women’s singles semifinals: Women’s singles up next on Court 2 and a very exciting match-up between 20-year-old Malvika Bansod who will be the veteran of the match against 16-year-old Anupama Upadhyaya. In the MS semifinal, Merkle leads 8-7 against Mithun.
Mixed doubles semifinals: Ishaan Bhatnagar/Tanisha Crasto will take on Srivedya Gurazada and Hema Nagendra Babu, who made a comeback to win in three.
Keep an eye on them... Ishaan Bhatnagar/Tanisha Crasto.
Men’s singles up next and India’s only remaining contender Mithun Manjunath in action against French youngster Arnauld Merkle. They meet each other last week in India Open that Mithun won before having to withdraw. Merkle, world No 79 and former European junior champion, defeated Prannoy yesterday in straight games.
Mixed doubles semifinals: Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Crasto are into the mixed doubles final. A convincing performance in the third game. They are delighted! Arjun/Treesa have their doubles SFs left.
Mixed doubles semifinals: Decider in the other match too.
Mixed doubles semifinals: 19-year-old Ishaan Bhatnagar and 18-year-old Tanisha Crasto are combining like seasoned pros here. Tanisha with great net play and flicks, Ishaan with the power game. A 18-8 lead.
Mixed doubles semifinals: Errors from Arjun in this phase haven’t helped, but Jolly gets the serve back with a good touch at net. But Ishaan with a huge smash to get the serve again at 14-8.
Mixed doubles semifinals: Huge lead for the aggressive duo of Ishaan/Tanisha. A 11-5 lead for the seeded pair at the final change of ends.
Mixed doubles semifinals: Treesa with a superb attacking play from the back court that is followed by Ishaan taking over the front court. Ishaan/Tanisha lead 7-4.
Mixed doubles semifinals: Huge roar from Ishaan and Tanisha as they force the decider against Arjun-Treesa. This has been a great battle so far. The former kept pulling ahead, the latter kept fighting back... in the end an error from Arjun sees the match go to a deserving third game. Crasto has arguably been the best player on the court.
Mixed doubles semifinals: Ishaan/Tanisha looked set to force decider at 17-14 but Arjun/Treesa came back to make it 17-17. Now it is 18-18.
Mixed doubles semifinals: Superb stuff from both pairs in the second. Tanisha/Ishaan lead 11-10 in the interval.
A look at a fantastic point from game 1.
Mixed doubles semifinals: A brilliant rollercoaster doubles match, this. Between two promising Indian pairs. Tanisha/Ishaan fought back brilliantly from a big deficit, but Arjun/Treesa hold their nerve in the end. 21-18.
Mixed doubles semifinals: BRILLIANT! Tanish Crasto is leading the charge, she and Ishaan have come storming back from 9-15 down to 17-15. Now Arjun/Treesa have the serve back at 17-18.
Mixed doubles semifinals: With a title assured for India from mixed doubles, Tanisha Crasto/Ishaan Bhatnagar and Treesa Jolly/MR Arjun are in action first. Arjun/Jolly lead 11-8 in the first game here. This is a battle between two promising Indian mixed doubles pairs.
02.15 pm: Hello and welcome to live updates from the semifinals matches at Syed Modi Super 300 event in Lucknow.
Friday’s report from PTI:
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu rallied from a game down to eke out a hard-fought win over Thailand’s Supanida Katething to enter the semifinals. The top-seeded Indian beat her Thai rival, seeded sixth in the tournament, 11-21 21-12 21-17 in a quarterfinal match that lasted one hour and five minutes. Sindhu will face fifth-seeded Russian Evgeniya Kosetskaya in the semifinals.
In the men’s singles, however, HS Prannoy crashed out of the tournament with a straight-game defeat to Arnaud Merkle of France in the quarterfinals. The fifth-seeded Indian, a former top 10 player, lost 19-21 16-21 to his French opponent in a 59-minute quarterfinal match.
Mithun Manjunath, however, advanced to the semifinals after beating Sergey Sirant of Russia 11-21 21-12 21-18 in a quarterfinal match that lasted one hour and one minute. Manjunath will face Merkle in the semifinals.
In the mixed doubles event, the Indian pair of MR Arjun and Treesa Jolly beat the eight seeded French duo of William Villeger and Anne Tran 24-22 21-17 in the quarterfinal match that lasted 42 minutes. Arjun and Jolly will face compatriots and seventh seeded pair of Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Crasto in the semifinals. In the women’s doubles quarterfinals, India’s Ramya Venkatesh Chickmenahalli and Apeksha Nayak conceded a walkover to eight seeded Malaysian pair of Anna Ching Yik Cheong and Teoh Mei Xing.
Arjun and Jolly are also in the semifinals of their respective doubles categories.
Screenshots courtesy Tournament Software / DD Sports.