New Delhi, June 26: One of India’s most promising shuttlers, Sai Praneeth feels he has the quality to compete with the best in the business and emulate compatriots Parupalli Kashyap and K Srikanth in winning a Grand Prix Gold title.
In a week’s time, Praneeth stunned two top players — former World number one and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia and world number six Hu Yun of Hong Kong in Indonesia and Singapore, respectively.
Praneeth said it was the training against the top Indian players like Kashyap that has helped him to compete at the highest level.
“We have all the top players from India in Gopichand academy, so all the games we play are competitive. P Kashyap now has reached top level. When we play against him and other top players it helps our game,” Praneeth said.
“I have the confidence now that if they can win titles then I can also win. But in tournaments, there are sometimes trouble with players so it depends on the day and match. All the players are equal in a GP gold and I know I have the quality of winning a GP Gold. It can happen anytime,” he added.
Praneeth had spoilt Taufik’s farewell match and the Indian says it was like a dream to beat a legend at his own backyard.
“Before the match, I was tensed because there was such a huge crowd and they were chanting his name. I started off nervously and did a lot of negatives. So first game I was down but in the second game my strokes were going right and I got back my rhythm. After that I got the confidence that I can win this match,” Praneeth said.
“In Singapore, when I started playing qualifying, I felt I played very good. Everything was going right. I had no problems in fitness. Against Hu Yun, initially when I started I had a big lead in the first half and I had the confidence that I can win,” he added. (PTI)
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