Parupalli Kashyap to take on HS Prannoy in US Open badminton final

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Updated: Jul 23, 2017 10:30 IST

It will be an all-India men’s singles final at Anahein when Parupalli Kashyap takes on compatriot and friend HS Prannoy in the $120,000 US Open Grand Prix Gold badminton on Sunday.

While Kashyap had a tough three-game victory in the semi-finals, Prannoy eased past his opponent to enter another Grand Prix Gold event summit clash.

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Second seed Prannoy took just 40 minutes to beat Vietnamese 15th seed Tien Minh Nguyen 21-14, 21-19.

This was World No.23 Prannoy’s first win over the former World Championship bronze medallist in two meetings.

Kashyap, on the other hand, had to struggle in his semi-final as he was taken the distance by South Korean Kwang Hee Heo.

An unknown opponent and his tricks took its toll on Kashyap but eventually the reigning Commonwealth Games champion prevailed 15-21, 21-15, 21-16 in a marathon match that lasted an hour and six minutes.

READ | Parupalli Kashyap, HS Prannoy enter US Open badminton semi-finals

The final will be the third official meeting between Kashyap and Prannoy with both enjoying one victory each previously. However, the two times the Indians met each other were in 2010 and 2014.

Good morning, India! It's going to be an all India final in #USAGPG! @parupallik and @PRANNOYHSPRI win their respective semifinal match! 👏 — BAI Media (@BAI_Media) July 23, 2017

Four Indians have won Grand Prix titles in 2017. While Saina Nehwal started the trend with the Malaysia Masters title in January, PV Sindhu and Sameer Verma followed it up with victories at the Syed Modi International in Lucknow. B Sai Praneeth then won the Thailand Open in June.

With Kashyap and Prannoy in the final, the shuttlers have ensured that another Grand Prix crown comes to India.

READ | US Open Badminton: Parupalli Kashyap, HS Prannoy enter quarters

Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy in the men’s doubles semi-finals.

Top seeds from Chinese Taipei, Lu Ching Yao and Yang Po Han won over the third seeded Indians 21-12, 12-21, 22-20 in 54 minutes.