Syed Modi GP: Hidayat ends Varma's dream run

Former World Champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia ended India’s Sourabh Varma’s dream run in the Syed Modi Memorial Grand Prix badminton here Sunday, defeating him 15-21, 18-21 to in the men’s singles final.

Varma, ranked 72, fought hard against the 2004 Olympic champion but eventually ran out of steam.

The Madhya Pradesh player created waves en route to the final, beating three seeded players, including fourth seed Indonesian Tommy Sugiarto.

Varma shone at a time when India’s top players Parupalli Kashyap and Ajay Jayaram exited in the early stages of the competition.

Star player Saina Nehwal pulled out of the women’s draw at the last minute citing fever and fatigue.