Indian shuttler HS Prannoy saved five match points and clawed his way back from a game down to beat Japan’s Koki Watanabe in the opening round of the China Open Super 1000 badminton tournament here on Tuesday.

World No. 35 Prannoy pulled off a stunning 8-21, 21-16, 23-21 victory against the 18th-ranked Watanabe, and admitted after the match that he’s savouring every win as his career winds down.

“At this point in my career, every win matters. The level of playing is really high now and winning each round has gotten tougher,” Prannoy, 
33, said.