Srikanth becomes first Indian player to reach final of BWF World Badminton Championship
Kidambi Srikanth etched his name in the history books by becoming the first Indian player to reach the final of the BWF World Badminton Championships by defeating compatriot Lakshya Sen here on Saturday.
In a historic all-India men’s singles semi-final, it was 28-year-old Srikanth who last saw off Sen 17-21, 21-14, 21-17 in a thrilling contest that lasted an hour and nine minutes.
While former world number one Srikanth has now given himself a real chance to win the top prize, Sen signed off with the first bronze, as Indian medalists great Prakash Padukone (bronze in 1983) and B Sai Praneeth (bronze in 2019). ) joined. Winner in Showpiece.
India’s PV Sindhu has won two bronzes in 2019 and two silvers in addition to the coveted gold, while the women’s doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa also won bronze in 2011.
Also, Saina Nehwal has a silver and a bronze in the marquee event.
It was a huge moment not only for Indian badminton but also for world No. 14 Srikanth, who has suffered injuries and losses at the Tokyo Olympics this year since winning four Super Series titles in 2017.
The duo took part in some exciting rallies, with Srikanth being a step ahead initially but Lakshya managed to come back 4-4 and then 6-6 with some brilliant shots.
The 20-year-old took the lead 8-7 with a wide from Srikanth, but he soon leveled with a cross-court smash.
Srikanth conceded two points with two nervous looking shots as Lakshya took a three-point advantage at the break with a precise return to the backline.
Srikanth’s aggressive stroke was negated by his wide returns as Lakshya maintained his three-point lead after the gap.
The duo played some incredible rallies with Srikanth making some brilliant recoveries to make it 16-16, but he got into a net shot and then hit the target again as wides and longs took a 19-17 lead. went in.
Another comeback from Srikanth gave Lakshya three game points to win the opening game.
The duo continued to play at a breathtaking pace with Srikanth paying the price for their unforced errors.
Lakha was just sensational as he made some amazing saves and also created a tight net game to lead 8-4.
The experienced Srikkanth kept his cool and scored six out of the next seven points. He won a long rally and then made two smashes and pushed the shuttle back to level the score at 9-9. Another straight line smash gave Srikanth a two-point advantage at the mid-game gap.
On 13-10, Srikanth sent the shuttle twice long to allow the target to narrow the gap. Lakshya made a mistake with his length and also lost a point in the net while Srikanth hit a smash to lead 16-12.
Lakshya won the next two points but Srikanth overtook his compatriot in another thrilling rally. Lakshya then made too many unforced errors to hand six game points to Srikanth, who returned to the contest with another cross-court smash.
Srikanth started the decider with a brilliant drop shot and then dominated another fast-paced rally but a few errors put the target 4-4 ahead.
The duo shook neck and neck 7-7 before Srikanth sent the shuttle wide after a 43-shot rally.
Another wide shot from Srikanth, and the target goes with a smash into a three-point advantage at the middle of the game.
Srikanth used his angled return to trouble his younger rival, making it 10-11 after the break. Lakshya, however, again managed to take a three-point lead with his brilliant defense and aggressive comeback.
Srikanth claimed two crucial points and then Lakshya made a rare unforced error and allowed his senior rival to make it 13-13.
Srikanth pulled off another energy-sapping rally to take a slim lead of 16-15 and leveled 19-16 with a cross-court smash.
An exhausted Srikanth missed the front line but a deceptive shot from Lakshya lost his mark to award three match points to Srikanth, who sealed it with a body return, which Lakshya sent over the net.
,