Sai Praneeth : I am glad I held my nerve and won the big points

“It would have been terrible had I lost after coming so close. If you lose a contest in straight games 21-13 and 21-11, it doesn’t hurt much. But if you put up a fight and go down in a tight match, it hurts. I am glad I held my nerve and won the big points,” Praneeth told The Hindu.

The final lasted 71 minutes and the Indian shuttler showed nerves of steel to overcome his Indonesian counterpart after trailing 7-2 in the decider.

“It was anybody’s game and I am really happy I won. A victory in a tournament final is always welcome,” he said.

Praneeth will spearhead the Indian men's contingent in the Indonesian and Australian Open scheduled to start on June 12 and June 20 respectively.

“This is a big victory and it will help improve my world ranking — he is No. 24 now — and will give you confidence ahead of the big events lined up (Indonesian and Australian Open).  

Earlier in the year, the 24-year old secured his maiden Superseries title when he beat compatriot Srikanth Kidambi in Singapore. Praneeth noted that winning the Thailand win proved that the Singapore title was not a matter of luck.

“This title is a reminder that my victory in the Singapore Open was no fluke,” he said.