Sai Praneeth wins 2017 Thailand Open
What's the story
Indian shuttler B. Sai Praneeth defeated Indonesia's Jonatan Christie to win the men's singles title at the 2017 Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold. After losing the first set, Praneeth won the match 17-21, 21-18, 21-19 in 71 minutes. It is the first Grand Prix Gold title for the 24-year old Indian. Praneeth had won the 2016 Canada Open last year.
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2017 Thailand Open
Thailand Open is an annual badminton tournament held in Thailand. It was first held in 1984 and has been played every year since then. However, the tournament did not take place in 1986, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014. Two Indians have won Thailand Open titles; Saina Nehwal was the women's singles champion in 2012, while Srikanth Kidambi won the men's title in 2013.
B Sai Praneeth
Who is the young shuttler?
Sai Praneeth Bhamidipati is an Indian badminton player who made his debut as a young boy in the late 2000s. Currently ranked 22 in the world, Sai Praneeth has won one BWF Superseries title, one BWF Grand Prix title and five BWF International Challenge titles. His latest title win was the 2017 Singapore Open, in April earlier this year.
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Other winners
Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon won the women's singles title at the tournament. She defeated fellow Thai player Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-18, 12-21, 21-16.