Kidambi Srikanth overcomes Viktor Axelsen to win the India Open Super Series title

Kidambi Srikanth was impressive in his win against Viktor Axelsen in the India Open final

Kidambi Srikanth beat Viktor Axelsen 18-21, 21-13, 21-12 to win the India Open Super Series final at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.

Both players were nervous in the initial stages of the first game. It was Axelsen who capitalised on Srikanth’s unforced errors to lead 11-10 at the interval. The Dane upped the ante with a string of winners and varied his game to nullify Srikanth’s attempts of gaining a foothold in the match. He had six game points at 20-18, but the Indian won four straight points to stay in the hunt.

Axelsen eventually took the first game 21-18 as Srikanth netted a backhand return.

The Dane was 3-2 up in the second game. Srikanth began to play some aggressive badminton and won 10 of the next 11 points to lead 12-4. Axelsen reduced the deficit to just five with fine play near the net. The Indian was too good as he controlled most of the long rallies and levelled the match by taking the second game 21-13 when Axelsen hit his forehand long.

Axelsen led 5-3 in the third game as unforced errors started to increase from Srikanth’s racket. The Indian crawled his way back into the game with sensible play and trailed by just two points going into the interval. It was 12-12 when Axelsen hit his forehand long. The next point was one of the best of the match when a superb rally was ended by a brilliant forehand winner from Srikanth found the line.

There was no looking back for the Indian as he won 11 consecutive points from 10-12 down to win the India Open title.