Singapore Open: B Sai Praneeth defeats Kidambi Srikanth to be crowned champion

Singapore: India's B Sai Praneeth became the second Indian to win a Superseries title, after he defeated compatriot Kidambi Srikanth in the final of the Singapore Open, on Sunday.

While he struggled early on, Praneeth came back well to clinch the last two game, and notch-up a 17-21, 21-17, 21-12 victory.

Srikanth started off the match on a high note, and raced into the lead around mid-way of the game. The former world no. 3 maintained his composure in the first game.

Although Srikanth started off the second game in the high tempo, he soon lost the momentum, as Praneeth took the initiative. After a brief struggle, when both the shuttlers went neck and neck against each other, Praneeth clinched the game 21-17.

Srikanth never recovered from this loss in momentum, and kept on making unforced errors, as Praneeth raced towards his maiden Superseries title.

3rd game, Praneeth 21-12 Srikanth

Srikanth won a few points in the end, but Praneeth finally brings up his first Super Series win with a big smash. B Sai Praneeth defeats Kidambi Srikanth 17-21, 21-17, 21-12.

3rd game, Praneeth 15-7 Srikanth

Srikanth just can't get his game going. He continues to find the net, as the two players play the drop shots.

3rd game, Praneeth 11-5 Srikanth

Praneeth inches closer to the Singapore Open title, with a big jump-smash, to register a 6-point lead at the changeover.

3rd game, Praneeth 5-2 Srikanth

Praneeth has the momentum with him right now. races into a three-point lead.

2nd game, Praneeth 21-17 Srikanth

Praneeth is on fire! The momentum of the match has swung completely on its head. Srikanth does not seem to be able to tackle Praneeth's threat. A wrong service by Srikanth gives Praneeth the game-point, and the latter launches into the attack, to clinch the 2nd game 21-17.

2nd game, Praneeth 16-14 Srikanth

Praneeth is using some of Srikanth's own medicine on his counterpart. A body-smash gives jhim a 2-point lead.

2nd game, Praneeth 11-10 Srikanth

Brilliant comeback by Praneeth. Despite conceding a big lead early on in the 2nd game, he did well to draw level at 7-7, 8-8, and at 10-10. He finally managed to edge into the lead at 11-10.

2nd game, Praneeth 1-6 Srikanth

Srikanth is in total control now. He has carried the momentum of the first game into the second, and races into a 5-point lead.

1st game, Praneeth 17-21 Srikanth

Srikanth pushed Praneeth to the back of the backhand-side of the court, before playing a drop shot on the other end. Even a diving effort by Praneeth cannot salvage this point. After a couple of points by his counterpart, Srikanth finally manages to clinch the first game 21-17. The first game took 19 minutes.

1st game, Praneeth 14-17 Srikanth

A spirited rally by Praneeth brings him to within one point of Srikanth at 14-15. However, Srikanth seems to have brought his A-game to the court today, as he looks intent on mixing things up. He is making Praneeth move all around the court.

1st game, Praneeth 11-15 Srikanth

Praneeth can't seem to be able to get out of the run. Srikanth is picking off the points quite easily. A big smash gets Praneeth to the 10-point mark, but Kidambi maintains his 4-point lead.

1st game, Praneeth 7-11 Srikanth

They mah have started out on a level basis, but Srikanth shows his experience, as he pulls into the lead. His body-smashes against Praneeth have certainly worked-out here.

1st game, Praneeth 5-5 Srikanth

A close start by both the shuttlers. Praneeth took a 2-point lead early on, but Srikanth did well to come back.

Preview: The world of badminton is set to witness history, as two Indian shuttlers – Kidambi Srikanth and B Sai Praneeth – are set to go up in arms against each other in the final of the Singapore Open Super Series final.

This will be the first time that two Indians will face each other in the final of a Super Series tournament.

Srikanth, who is a former world no. 3, overcame Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 21-13, 21-14, while Praneeth shed not sweat, as he shot past Sout Korea’s Lee Dong Keun.

Interestingly, Praneeth has the upper hand in the head-to-head between the two players, with a 4-1 record.