KUALA LUMPUR: India's H.S. Prannoy secured a memorable victory in his first match since the Paris Olympics, overcoming a five-month hiatus and a rain delay caused by roof leakage at the Axiata Arena.
The opening Malaysia Open match against Canada's Brian Yang stretched over nearly 18 hours due to interruptions, with Prannoy eventually prevailing 21-12, 17-21, 21-15 in an 89-minute first-round clash.
The match, held on Court 3, was disrupted multiple times on Tuesday.
Prannoy led 21-12, 6-3 when the first delay occurred, halting play for 25 minutes.
Despite an hour-long effort to resume, persistent leakage forced another stoppage.
Brian held an 11-9 lead in the second game when officials suspended the match for the night.
Returning to action on Wednesday morning, Prannoy sealed the win in a contest that tested both players' patience and resolve.
"It was a long day waiting and thinking about what would happen. To finally be on the winning side in the first round feels good," Prannoy said.
The Indian shuttler, who had been recovering from chikungunya, even joked about the unusual circumstances, calling it a historic moment in badminton.
"I don't think any player has experienced something like this before. Brian and I might have created some history here," he quipped.
Asked if the delays offered any advantages, Prannoy noted that both players benefited at different points.
"It's a give-and-take situation. But as players, there wasn't much we could do about it."
Fully recovered and back in competition, Prannoy is keen to make an impact, with Malaysia holding a special place for him.
It was at the Axiata Arena in May 2023 that he won the Malaysia Masters.
"The last two months of training helped put me in a position to compete. Let's see how things unfold from here," he said.
Reflecting on his approach, Prannoy stressed on the importance of staying prepared despite setbacks.
"There are always challenges, but that doesn't mean I stop training or competing. Whenever I return, I aim to be ready to win. That's what I'm focusing on."