Sourabh loses in final of Malaysia GP
1 April 2014 5:19 AM IST
The 21-year-old from Madhya Pradesh squandered a one-game advantage to lose 21-15, 16-21, 19-21 to former world number three Simon in an energy-sapping one hour and nine-minute match.
World number 30 Sourabh played his heart out in his fourth final in as many months but it was the 15th seed Simon who had the last laugh. With this win, the world number 56 Indonesian kept his unbeaten record intact against Sourabh. Simon had beaten the Indian in straight games in their only previous meeting in 2012 at the Indonesia Open.
Simon didn’t take much time to get off the block, opening up a 4-2 lead and then extending it to 12-5. However, Sourabh soon found his rhythm back and slowly surpassed the Indonesian to reach 16-14. The Indian then reeled off five straight points to win the first game. In the second game, Simon regrouped himself and surged ahead to a massive 16-6 lead. Though Sourabh narrowed it down to 15-18, the Indonesian walked away with the game.
In the decider, Sourabh grabbed the lead at 19-18 but Simon once again wriggled out and then shut the door on his younger rival in the end.
World number 30 Sourabh played his heart out in his fourth final in as many months but it was the 15th seed Simon who had the last laugh. With this win, the world number 56 Indonesian kept his unbeaten record intact against Sourabh. Simon had beaten the Indian in straight games in their only previous meeting in 2012 at the Indonesia Open.
Simon didn’t take much time to get off the block, opening up a 4-2 lead and then extending it to 12-5. However, Sourabh soon found his rhythm back and slowly surpassed the Indonesian to reach 16-14. The Indian then reeled off five straight points to win the first game. In the second game, Simon regrouped himself and surged ahead to a massive 16-6 lead. Though Sourabh narrowed it down to 15-18, the Indonesian walked away with the game.
In the decider, Sourabh grabbed the lead at 19-18 but Simon once again wriggled out and then shut the door on his younger rival in the end.
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