Thailand Open: Praneeth in final, Saina falters

New Delhi: India’s B. Sai Praneeth sailed into the final with a straight-sets win but Saina Nehwal’s campaign ended in the semi-finals of the $120,000 Thailand Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament in Bangkok on Saturday.

Third seed Praneeth comfortably beat Pannawit Thongnuam of Thailand 21-11, 21-15 in a semi-final that lasted 36 minutes.

London Olympic bronze medallist and second seed Saina, however, bit the dust, 19-21, 18-21 to Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan in 53 minutes.

Singapore Open champion Praneeth, ranked 24 in the world, will take on fourth seeded 19-year-old Indonesian Jonatan Christie, who defeated Joo Ven Soong of Malaysia 21-9, 21-18 in their 34-minute semi-final.

In Saturday’s match, Praneeth started strongly and went into the first break with a four-point lead, paving the way for an easy win in the first game.

The Thai tried to stage a fightback in the second game but Praneeth was equal to the task, quickly reducing a three- point deficit.

Thongnuam made Praneeth work hard for his points, but the Indian had the last laugh.