HS Prannoy edges Parupalli Kashyap in all India final to lift US Open Grand Prix Gold

Anaheim (California), July 24: India's HS Prannoy trumped compatriot Parupalli Kashyap in the all India final of the USD 120,000 US Open Grand Prix Gold here on Sunday (July 23).

World No. 23 Prannoy won his third Grand Prix as he defeated Kashyap, the former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, by 21-15, 22-20, 21-12 in the final match that lasted 65 minutes.

Prannoy took to Twitter account and wrote, "Feels great to win this one, #USAGPG champion 2017! Defeated my academy mate @parupallik in a tough battle. Thank you all for your support!"

Feels great to win this one, #USAGPG champion 2017! Defeated my academy mate @parupallik in a tough battle. Thank you all for your support! pic.twitter.com/pNdCNZXWFo

— PRANNOY HS (@PRANNOYHSPRI) July 24, 2017

After limping out of the court with a calf injury in October in 2015, it was the first final for Kashyap in 21 months, while Prannoy, who has always been plagued by injuries, also reached his first summit clash after clinching the Swiss Open last year.

Kashyap eked out a hard-fought 15-21, 21-15, 21-16 win over Korean Kwang Hee Heo in the second semi-final which lasted an hour and six minutes.

3rd Grand Prix Gold title for HS Prannoy. Beats fellow Indian, Parupalli Kashyap 21-15, 20-22, 21-12 in #USAGPG Final. Congrats, champ! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/aucLVQQuNK

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) July 23, 2017

Prannoy, on the other hand, notched up a 21-14, 21-19 win over Vietnam's Tien Minh Nguyen in the first semi-final.

Defeated the top seed in the 1st round and showed his class. Kudos to Parupalli Kashyap for fighting it out in #USAGPG. Brave effort! pic.twitter.com/KjL8NqzVql

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) July 23, 2017

It was the second time this season that two Indians clashed for the title at international badminton. In April, K Srikanth and B Sai Praneeth had played in the finals of Singapore Open with the latter claiming his maiden Super Series title.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)