India’s Sai Praneeth stormed into the final of the 2016 Canada Open, after defeating Brice Leverdez in three pulsating games 22-20 19-21 21-12 in the semifinal on Saturday.
Right from the opening game, it proved to be a topsy-turvy affair with both players constantly exchanging leads, but at the 10-10 mark, it was the Indian who went in front, winning three points straight to make it 13-10 before extending it to 17-14.
However, that's when the Frenchmen clawed his back,levelling the tie with 3 points of his own at 17-17. It was a tense affair after that, but at 20-20, Sai kept his cool and converted the game point opportunity to win the game 22-20.
The second game began in a similar manner as the first and at the 7-7 mark, it was the Indian who went ahead with a three-point stretch, taking a 10-7 lead, But Leverdez fought back again, levelling the scores not once but twice at 10-10 first and later, 14-14.
He then won three points straight to make it 17-14 before eventually closing the game out at 21-19.
What promised to be a cracking third game was reduced to a one-sided contest, as the Indian upped his game significantly, not allowing Leverdez to gain the advantage at any point to eventually seal the game 21-12 and move into the final.
He will face Lee Dyon II in the final.
In the other semifinal, involving another Indian Ajay Jayaram, it proved to be a totally one-sided contest, as the Korean outclassed the Indian completely, beating him 21-9 21-8 to move into the final.
At no point did Jayaram, look like assuming control and after the match ended, he tweeted his disappointment over the loss, stating that he couldn’t play 100% on the day, as he may have injured his shoulder earlier in the competition.
