Indian shuttler Sameer Verma enter Swiss Open semis
Indian shuttler Sameer Verma has advanced to the semifinals of the Swiss Open after defeating former world no. 2 Japan's Kento Momota in Basel. Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold champion Sameer notched up a 21-17 21-16 win in the men's singles quarterfinals to break Momota's unbeaten streak since returning to action in August last year. Here's more.
Sameer showed his mettle in the battle against Momota
Momota won two Grand Prix and three international challenge titles last year. However, Sameer showed his mettle in the 44-minute battle against Momota as he erased 3-5 and 14-16 deficits to pocket the opening game and kept breathing down his rival's neck after lagging 4-9 at one stage in the second game to eventually seal the contest comfortably.
Meanwhile, Parupalli Kashyap shines in Vienna
Upcoming men's doubles pair of MR Arjun and Shlok Ramchandran, however, suffered a 13-21 18-21 loss against Thailand's Maneepong Jongjit and Nanthakarn Yordphaisong to bow out. Meanwhile, in Vienna, Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap continued his fine run as he defeated seventh seed, Victor Svendsen of Denmark 21-17, 21-19 to reach the final in the Austrian Open International Challenge.