Mumbai: 14 Fourth seed Sourabh Verma stunned top seed R.M.V. Gurusaidutt to set up a sum mit clash with H.S. Prannoy in the men's singles event of the $15,000 Tata Open India International Challenge badminton tournament at the Cricket Club of India courts here on Saturday.
Verma, currently ranked 60th in the world, rallied from a game down to win the semi-final 16-21, 21-18, 21-19 against better ranked Gurusaidutt (22) after a 75 minute duel.
Prannoy, in contrast, had no problems in seeing of sec ond seed B. Sai Praneeth's challenge. The third seed Prannoy prevailed 21-19, 21 10 over his opponent, who was carrying an injury.
Praneeth injured his right shin muscle while playing in the quarterfinals on Friday, and is a doubtful starter for next week's 78th Senior Nationals to be held in New Delhi.
