SRIKANTH CLINCHES INDONESIA SUPERSERIES PREMIER CROWN
SUPER SHOW The Indian shuttler beats Japanese Kazumasa Sakai in straight games
Kidambi Srikanth cliched his third Super Series title (two Super Series Premier and one Super Series) after claiming the USD 1,000,000 Indonesia Super Series Premier men’s singles crown with a 21-11, 21-19 victory over Japanese Kazumasa Sakai in the final on Sunday.
Srikanth played a patient game and didn’t allow his opponent to engage in any fast-paced rally.
He dictated the pace with his precise angled returns and unleashed his smashes at perfect intervals to down his rival.
“I think it was a fantastic game for me. I started off really well in the first game but he was playing well in the second game, leading 11-6 at the break and fighting it out. But overall, I think my game was going great, my attack was going well for me,” Srikanth said.
“It is a much needed win for me. After losing the finals at Singapore Open, to reach another final here was a good thing for me. It has been a while since I won a super series tournament,” he added.
World No 22 Srikanth, who had reached the finals at Singapore Open in April, outclassed Sakai, ranked 47th, 21-11, 21-19 in just 37 minutes to take home a cheque of USD 75,000.
The 24-year-old hopes more success would come his way as he gears up for Australia Open next week ahead of the World Championship in August.
“I am playing Australian Open next week. It is the last tournament before the World Championship. I am looking forward to that. It is a big confidence booster for me ahead of the World Championship. I would give my 100 per cent. I hope there is more to come,” he said.
MODI CONGRATULATES SRIKANTH
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Srikanth. “Congratulations We are delighted on your victory in the Indonesia Open Superseries tournament,” Modi tweeted.
BAI ANNOUNCES CASH AWARD
Badminton Association of India (BAI) president Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a cash award of ~5 lakh for Srikanth.
Srikanth, who has picked up on his form after a slow start to the season due to injury, was in his ravishing best on
“We are really delighted at Kidambi’s achievement and to celebrate that BAI has announced a cash award of ~5 lakh for his stupendous performance in Jakarta,” official spokesperson and general secretary of BAI Anup Narang said.