(Photo source - Twitter)

HYDERABAD: Bhamidipati Sai Praneeth is on a roll as he completed a come-from-behind win to keep his good run going. Six weeks after winning the Singapore Open Super Series, the 24-year-old clinched his first Grand Prix Gold title clinching the $120,000 Thailand Open with a hard fought 17-21, 21-18, 21-19 victory against Christie Jonatan of Indonesia in Bangkok on Sunday.

Showing no signs of nervousness despite losing the first game, Praneeth made an impressive comeback to get past the Indonesian youngster in a gruelling one hour 11 minutes contest. Having lost the first game, a determined Praneeth opened up with a 5-0 lead and extended it to 8-1 before Jonatan reduced the margin securing six straight points from 3-9. Thereafter, both players traded leads and at 14-15 Praneeth nudged ahead to 17-15 with some crafty work near the net. Though Jonatan exhibited his brilliance with his fast paced power-packed game, Praneeth looked in great touch as he moved sharply executing overhead smashes before wrapping up the second game with a crosscourt deceptive half-smash.

In the decider, Christie raced ahead as he took a 8-2 lead but Praneeth engaged his rival in long rallies and it was the watertight defense of the Indian that proved decisive. Praneeth returned everything back and frustrated his rival. He caught up with Christie at 9-9 and managed to stay ahead of his rival.

Delighted after winning his second title on trot, Praneeth said that he had to work very hard in the final. "It was a very difficult and close match. I am happy that I managed to pull it off and win the title," said Praneeth, adding that he had focused a lot on the rallies. "The rallies were going too long. But I tried to build up the lead and win point after point," he added. Despite winning two titles on trot, Praneeth thinks he needs to be more consistent. "I am playing well now but I know that I need to be more consistent, win more titles," said Praneeth, who credited his victory to his coach Pullela Gopichand, family, relatives and all those who helped him in the Academy.

Always considered a precious talent, Praneeth was accused of not living up to expectations. But all that started changing when he won the Canada Open Grand Prix in July last year. He reached the final of the Syed Modi GP Gold in January. And in April he became the fourth Indian after Saina Nehwal , Kidambi Srikanth and PV Sindhu to win a Super Series title.

Praneeth will next compete in the Indonesia Open Super Series Premier (June 13-18).

BAI president announces three lakh reward

Congratulating Praneeth for the victory, Badminton Association of India president Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a cash reward of Rs 3 lakh to the Thailand Open champion. "It is a matter of extreme pride for me and the whole of BAI to see Sai take the podium in Thailand. I called him right after the game and congratulated him" Sarma said.

