Indian qualifier Kiran George stuns top Chinese players to enter quarters at Thailand Open
Approaching his 23rd birthday, Kiran George was aware that time was slipping out of his hands. That he needed to break through in the next year or two, or else it might be too late in the big league. In a span of four matches – two qualifying and two in the main draw – Kiran has managed to draw the world’s attention, defeating the top Chinese and then their form-player on successive days at the Thailand Open.
On Thursday, Kiran beat last week’s Malaysian Masters finalist, Weng Hong Yang 21-11, 21-19, to reach the quarterfinals of the Super 500 and make further headway. He plays Toma Junior Popov in the last 8.
From beating Korean Jeon Hyeok Jin in the qualifying round to downing Shi Yuqi in Round 1 to getting past the southpaw Weng, Kiran showed he’s grown in confidence. On Thursday he was prepared for Weng’s down strokes and sliced half smashes that had beaten Kidambi Srikanth. Defending gamely, Kiran hardly missed anything on his backhand side, though Weng had an array of overhead straight down the lines and crosses.
Kiran worked hard, ran up and down and held his nerve despite getting visibly tired, showing he was ready to play at that pace.
After racing to take the opener, Kiran led 4-1 and 5-3 in the second. Scores then went neck to neck but Weng took the 11-10 lead. From here, Kiran held his nerve and didn’t shy away from playing his strokes. He’d go for the lines even when others would’ve played safe when closing out. On the last point, he stayed at the net confident of his backhand, even when Weng took a step back expecting a lift.
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From the beginning, Kiran has been known for his variations in his game and deceptions in his down strokes. He started badminton at age 4 in Kochi where he trained till age 14. His father George Thomas was a former national champion, while his mother Preetha played at the state level. “I got lots of inputs from my dad because he had played at the top level. He’s also always believed in me,” Kiran would say after the Thursday win.
Kiran’s ranking had fluctuated – from No 42 he dropped to No 62, and is currently hovering at No 58. “He needs the jump in rankings,” says coach Sagar Chopda, adding his ward was prepared for the tough sessions. “He was in fact looking forward to the tough sessions which is important. No point in pushing if he wasn’t keen. That’s been the big change. He’s had a tough patch, but we all supported him through it, because we know he’s talented,” said the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy coach.
Kiran had returned from a first round loss in Slovenia, feeling low for the three days before flying out to Thailand. The turnaround has been outstanding for someone who won Odisha Open, and then the Polish Open, but was dragged down by ankle issues. “I had a two month layoff because of my ankle and that drained me of my confidence,” he said, “but I’m back now. And it’s not done yet. I must win again tomorrow.”
Lakshya takes out Li Shifeng
Between them, the two Bangalore blokes, Kiran George and Lakshya Sen took out three of the four Chinese in the draw. Sen ousted All England champion Li Shifeng 21-17, 21-15 in 49 minutes. Hitting deep smashes to his backhand, and forehand flank, Sen got the better of the fourth seed. Shifeng led 11-8, before Sen went on a 7 point surge, and never looked back.
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