Kidambi Srikanth advances to India Open finals\, to meet Viktor Axelsen

Kidambi Srikanth advances to India Open finals, to meet Viktor Axelsen

ANI  |  Others 

Former champion Kidambi Srikanth is on course for a second title, as he came from behind to defeat China's 16-21, 21-14, 21-19 in the men's singles semi-final here on Saturday.

In the finals, Srikanth will meet Denmark's on Sunday at the KD Jadhav Hall, here.

In an intense first game, the scoreline was evenly poised at 4-4. Srikanth with a halfcourt smash took the lead 9-8 but then trailed 14-18. An inch-perfect drop from the Indian reduced the lead to 16-20 but the Chinese sealed the first game 21-16.

Srikanth made amends and extended his lead 9-4 over Yuxiang to keep himself in the hunt for the second game. The Indian took the driver's seat at 14-6 and raced to take the game in decider 21-14.

The world number seven built a steady lead 7-5 over Yuxiang in the decider. The Indian held on to his nerves as he took three points on the trot to reduce the lead to 17-18 and ousted the Chinese by 21-19 to book his seat in the summit clash.

Meanwhile, Axelsen defeated Indian shuttler Parupalli in straight games 21-11, 21-17.

who appeared in a semi-final after more than three years took an early lead 2-1 over Axelsen. The Danish made a solid comeback to turn the tables with 14-9. Axelsen then capitalised on the Indian's errors to secure the first game at 21-11.

In the second game, took the lead 12-10 with a splendid cross court smash but Axelsen regained the momentum and sealed the game 21-17 to lock his final seat.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, March 30 2019. 19:05 IST