Priyanshu wins maiden BWF World Tour Super 300 title with Orleans Masters

India’s Priyanshu Rajawat won the men’s singles title of the Orleans Masters badminton tournament by defeating Denmark’s Magnus Johansson in three games in a thrilling final here on Sunday. The 21-year-old Priyanshu from Madhya Pradesh, who was part of the Indian team that won the Thomas Cup 2022 title, won the biggest title of his career by defeating world number 49 Johansson 21-15 19-21 21-16 in 68 minutes. World number 58 Rajawat told PTI, “I am very happy with my performance this week. This is my first major title and I am very happy to have won it.

Both the qualifiers and the finalists played brilliantly in the title clash but the Indian scored points at crucial junctures to win his maiden World Tour Super 300 title. It was the first meeting between the two 21-year-olds but Priyanshu, who did not lose a single game during the $240,000 tournament, showed maturity and won through a mix of offensive and defensive play. Priyanshu collects many points with cross court smashes. The journey of this Indian player came to an early end in the Orleans Masters last year.

Last year it was a Super 100 tournament. Priyanshu made a positive start in the final but Johansson did not allow the Indian to play aggressively. The Indian, however, soon found the rhythm and took a 6-5 lead with two aggressive returns which he extended to 9-7. Priyanshu took an 11-8 lead at the break with a backhand smash and then a winner. The Indian retained the lead and grabbed an 18-11 lead with two cross court smashes and then won the first game easily.

In the second game, Johansson strengthened her defense and started well to lead 6-3. Priyanshu hit a few shots on the net as the Danish player led 11-8 at the break. Priyanshu then made several unforced errors, taking advantage of which Johansson took the score to 14-9. The Indian came back to lead 17-15 but Johansson kept her composure and won the game. In the third and deciding game, Priyanshu made a bright start to take a 5-0 lead but the Danish player leveled the score at 9-9. Priyanshu was leading 11-9 at the break.

The Indian, however, did not give Johansson many chances after that. The Indian shot seven championship points but then hit three shots before winning the next to clinch the title. Rajawat said, “I was a bit tired in the second game and I made mistakes. My coach (N Anil Kumar) told me not to think too much and keep my shuttle only inside the court. “He said,” I came back from 9-14 but due to a small mistake, I came second. Game lost. I made fewer mistakes in the third game. I knew that if I play in a simple way, he will give me points.

Disclaimer:IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.

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