Sai Praneeth moves into the quarterfinals of the US Open Grand Prix Gold

Sai Praneeth moved into the quarterfinals of the US Open

India’s Sai Praneeth progressed through to the quarterfinals of the US Open Grand Prix Gold after beating China’s Huang Yuxiang 21-17 16-21 21-18 in 58 minutes in the third round on Thursday.

Game 1 saw both players win 2 of the first 4 points each before Sai took the lead by winning the next 2 points straight to take a 6-4 lead. The Indian then continued to maintain a grip on proceedings, even winning a few points on the trot at regular intervals to eventually seal the game 21-17 in his favour.

The second game began on an even keel, but it was Sai once again who took the lead, winning three points on the trot to make it 7-4 and maintained the lead until at the 13-11 mark, Huang won 6 points on the trot to storm back into the contest and eventually win it 21-16.

In the decider, the Indian made a strong start, racing off to a 6-1 early lead, but his Chinese opponent kept pegging him back and eventually brought game back on equal terms at 16-16 apiece. That's when Sai stepped his game a notch and 3 out of the next 5 points to take the game and move into the quarters.

He will face NG Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong in the quarters.

Final Scoreline- Sai Praneeth(IND) beat Huang Yuxiang(CHN) 21-17 16-21 21-18