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Huge upset by Srikanth
World No. 16 Kidambi Srikanth caused a huge upset in the final of China Open Super Series Premier as he stunned the former World No. 1,two time Olympic Champion, five time World Champion and local favorite Lin Dan 21-19 21-17 straight sets.
This is Srikanth’s first ever Super Series title and first ever title won by an Indian player in men’s singles category.
Srikant was off to a flying start
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21-year-old Indian shuttler, who was having a win-loss record of 0-2 against the veteran Chinese was in stupendous form from the start of the match as he took a strong five points lead before the mid game interval of the opening game.
Dan came back strongly after the mid game interval as he grabbed four points in quick succession to make the scores 16-15 in his favor. Trailing by 17-19, Srikanth changed his momentum and with a perfect combination of smashes and follow-ups, he clinched the next four points in a row to curtain the opening game 21-19.
Both the players were playing perfect net shots but it was the Indian shuttler, who got the better of the current World No. 14 Chinese ace in the decisive part of the opening game.
Dan adopted a different strategy for game 2
Lin Dan completely changed his game in the second set as he started playing a lot more aggressive shots as compared to the opening game but Srikanth also defended brilliantly and kept the scores neck to neck till 15 all but it was at this moment that the local player started to feel some pressure and as a result he lobbed the shuttle wide three times.
Lin Dan, who was four match points down saved the first one but was unable to save the second one as Srikanth played a perfect shot on the far side of the court to clinch the one of the most prestigious tournament in the Badminton.
It was also a double bonanza for the Indian shuttlers as before Srikanth, Saina Nehwal also won the Championship match defeating World No. 34 Japanese player Akane Yamaguchi in the final.
With this win Srikanth has also brightened his chances of playing in the BWF Superseries finals which will be held in Dubai in December.
