By employing deceptive net play and strategic pushes, Priyanshu Rajawat managed to confuse Wang Tzu Wei, winning the match 21-8, 13-21, 21-19. This performance earns the Indian athlete a place in the quarterfinals of the Super 500 event in Sydney. Although Wang tried to exert power at the net, Rajawat's exceptional backhand skill gave him the edge needed to control the game and emerge victorious.
Priyanshu Rajawat’s deception with net stops and pushes confused Wang Tzu Wei enough for the Indian to win 21-8, 13-21, 21-19 and go to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open Super 500 competition in Sydney. Even though Wang threatened with some power net play of his own, Rajawat’s backhand at the net was in such good shape that it enabled him to open up the court and triumph in the match.
Having struggled in recent three-set encounters with Lakshya Sen and Kodai Naraoka over the past fortnight, Rajawat showed great resilience here. Despite being the lower-ranked player (World No. 31 vs No. 28), he utilized his backhand net game to dominate the final set, winning it in 59 minutes. The 21-year-old is now set to face fellow countryman Kidambi Srikanth in the quarterfinals on August 4.
Rajawat's tactical approach was obvious from the start, characterized by his signature expansive side-step toward the net to get on top of the shuttle. This movement provided the foundation for his deceptive backhand play. While he started the match with strong cross-court smashes from the rear, it was his precision pushes targeted at Wang's torso that truly rattled the Taiwanese player. Roughly a third of Rajawat's points were won through his forecourt backhand, which he used to build an 11-4 lead by constantly switching between front and back deception.
With a commanding 16-5 lead, Rajawat added another tricky backhand at an awkward height to push the score to 19-7. Wang struggled to keep up, often forced into desperate movements and hitting wide as Rajawat varied the trajectory of his wristy backhand between flat and looping shots. A wide smash from Wang ended the first set at 21-8.
The momentum shifted in the second set as Wang took control of the net, forcing Rajawat into a defensive shell and winning the set 21-13. The third set began as a tense battle for net supremacy, but the tide turned during a spectacular rally. Rajawat showcased his full range of skills, executing a 180-degree arc of backhand variations, including a reflex save and a full pivot, before capping it off with a powerful deep cross smash. Combining this dominance at the net with flawless footwork, Rajawat sealed the victory.