India’s ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth on Sunday clinched his third Super Series Premier title with a dominating straight-game victory over Korean veteran Lee Hyun II in a lopsided final of the USD 750,000 Denmark Open.
His victory has earned the star player plenty of plaudits in India with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating him for his heroic performance.
He wrote, “Congratulations @srikidambi! Your remarkable victory at the #DenmarkSSP makes every Indian proud and happy.”
Congratulations @srikidambi! Your remarkable victory at the #DenmarkSSP makes every Indian proud and happy.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 22, 2017
Congress party too posted a congratulatory message from its official Twitter handle. It said, “Congratulations Kidambi Srikanth on clinching the #DenmarkSSP! India is proud. #DenmarkOpen @srikidambi.”
Congratulations Kidambi Srikanth on clinching the #DenmarkSSP!
India is proud. #DenmarkOpen @srikidambi pic.twitter.com/q7UukWj3cq— Congress (@INCIndia) October 22, 2017
Here are some more congratulatory messages;
Highlights: Kidambi Srikanth Wins Denmark Open Superseries Title – that’s a Gr8 win that makes India proud https://t.co/chwNW7JHxf
— Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) October 22, 2017
. @srikidambi Wow ! 3rd Superseries title of the year.
Congratulations Champion !— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 22, 2017
Lost the cricket match but victory on hockey and Third Super Series title of the year for Kidambi Srikanth. Great win in Denmark Open final
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) October 22, 2017
Congratulations to ace Indian shuttler @srikidambi on winning the #DenmarkOpen Superseries championship. You have made the country proud.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) October 22, 2017
Srikant’s win assumes significance given that he was playing an opponent 12 years his senior. Srikanth asserted his dominance with a 21-10 21-5 win over 37-year-old Lee in a match that lasted just 25 minutes, reported PTI
World No. 8 Srikanth didn’t give any chances to the more experienced Lee, who looked a pale shadow of the man, who had beaten World No. 2 Son Wan Ho in the semi-finals yesterday.
The duo were tied 4-4, before Srikanth changed gears and used his deception and powerful smashes to lead 9-5.
A return going to the net gave a point to Lee but Srikanth produced a brilliant cross court net dribble to bamboozle his opponent and moved into the break with a healthy 11-6 lead when the Korean went wide.
Lee had no answers to Srikanth’s razor-sharp smashes and cross court returns as the Indian led 14-8. Lee also made judgement errors at the baseline and also miscued his strokes as Srikanth extended his advantage to 17-8 with another smash.
The Korean hit two long shots and then sent one at the net to hand over a 20-8 lead to Srikanth.
The Indian made two unforced errors to allow Lee get into doubles figures. But Lee again erred with the length of his return as Srikanth pocketed the first game.
In the second game, Srikanth stepped on the gas and zoomed to a 11-1 lead even as Lee struggled with his strokes, hitting wide and long and often finding the net.
Post mid-game break, Lee produced a steep cross court return, much to the cheer of the sizable crowd who had turned out to watch the finals. The Korean lacked anticipation as Srikanth smashed his way to the title.