press trust of india
Foz do Iguacu (Brazil), Sept 5: The Indian mixed doubles pair of N Sikki Reddy and Pranaav Jerry Chopra clinched their maiden Grand Prix title, when they emerged champions in the Brazil Open badminton tournament here Sunday. In the summit clash they defeated the Canadian combo of Toby Ng and Rachel Honderich 21-15, 21-16 in 37 minutes.
“Mine and Pranaav Jerry Chopra first Grand Prix title, am so so so sooooooooooo happy (sic),” wrote Sikki on her FB page after the win. “I would like to thank my family and dad who believed in me and sent me to this trip at their expense.
“Last but not the least Tan Kim Her, Pullela Gopichand Arun Vishnu, Sumeeth Reddy. You all made me stronger with each passing day and you are a great source of motivation.,” she added.
Sikki, who has been a part of the bronze medal winning Indian team at the 2014 and 2016 Uber Cup, has so far played with six mixed doubles partners, including V Diju, Alwin Francis, Tarun Kona, Manu Attri and K Nandagopal.
The 23-year-old won five international challenger titles last year which include two mixed doubles and three women’s doubles crowns.
Pranaav and his partner Akshay Dewalkar had created a flutter at the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold earlier this year when they reached the final after defeating Korean combo of Kim Gi Jung and Kim Sa Rang in a gruelling semifinals.
The 23-year-old Ludhiana lad was part of the Indian team that stunned mighty China 3-2 to win a bronze in the Asia Badminton Team Championships.
