Despite on a fine run of form, India's H.S. Prannoy failed to make the summit clash of the $120,000 Bitburger Badminton Open losing to lower ranked Scott Evans of Ireland in the men's singles semi-final here Saturday.
The 11th seeded Evans needed only 33 minutes to beat World No.32 Prannoy 21-16, 21-10 in the Grand Prix Gold event being played at the Saarlandhalle. With the win, the Irish levelled his career record to 1-all against the seventh seeded Indian.
Prannoy, who had reached the Vietnam Open final and won the Indonesian Masters in September, was also the favourite Saturday but the World No.35 Evans came out the better shuttler on the day.
The 22-year-old from Kerala was at his aggressive best at the start as he went into an 8-2 lead but thereon, Evans turned the tables on Prannoy by clinching the next nine points to take an 11-8 lead.
The 11th seed made sure he did not give away the lead went on to seal the game in his favour.
The second game was totally a one man show as Prannoy was far from his best and gave away the contest without a fight to his lower-seeded opponent.
