Internet Desk: B Sai Praneeth won his maiden Grand Prix gold medal in the Thailand Open after he defeated Jonatan Christie in the finals. The Indian shuttler came from behind to win the 1 hour 11 minutes match by -21 21-18 21-19.
Praneeth registered his second consecutive title win after he previously won the Singapore Open. He also reached the finals of Syed Modi International where he lost the match.
“I was just focusing on the rallies. It was a difficult match. The rallies were going too long. But I tried to slowly and slowly build up and I am happy I could win. I thank everyone who supported me,” said Praneeth after the match. The Indonesian opened up a 3-0 lead but Praneeth soon caught up with him at 4-4 and it was a close battle till 7-7 before Christie broke free to maintain a slender edge.
In the opening set of the Indian shuttler was losing points but tried to come back, ultimately losing the set. However with a brilliant game in the next two games he fought and won the game.
Thereafter, it was a neck-and-neck battle till 15-15 before the Indian took a slight two-point lead at 17-15. Leading 17-16, Praneeth managed to bag three more points to move ahead 20-16. Although he wasted two game points, he eventually won it 21-18.
In the decider, Christie broke away at 2-2 to open up a 7-2 lead and then to 8-3. However, the Indian slowly made his way up with five consecutive points to reduce the margin to 7 -8.
Finally, Praneeth caught up with him at 9-9 and what followed was a keenly contested affair with none of the shuttlers sparing an inch to each other.
At 17-17, Praneeth won two crucial points to take a 19-17 lead but only to concede the advantage. Christie bagged the next two points to tie at 19-19. However, the Indian held on to his nerves to reel off two quick points to wrap up the match and the title in his favour.