Badminton: After losing India Open very last, Kidambi Srikanth heads to Malaysia on a high
A strong end on the India Open will hold him in proper stead. At the same time, Kidambi Srikanth, another time, strives to cease his long identify drought on the USD 700,000 Malaysia Open, beginning in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
Srikanth, who remained an identity at the 2017 French Open, came near ending the lean patch when he reached the finals of the India Open. Still, Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen thwarted his project on Sunday. Despite the loss, it was an amazing week for the 26-year-old as he quelled the challenge of 1 opponent after some others on his way to his first summit clash of a BWF global tour occasion in 17 months. On Wednesday, Srikanth will start his campaign in opposition to a qualifier, following the withdrawal of Malaysian legend Lee Chong Wei, who turned into purported to play his first occasion after recuperating from nose most cancers.
“I’m simply satisfied how it was last week. I simply need to take it the way it comes. I recognize I was trailing in a maximum of the suits; however, someway I wanted this sort of momentum. I desired these types of wins and need to continue this form now,” Srikanth had stated after the very last on Sunday. Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu too changed into on route for a identify win before she blew a 4 game factors to lose the semifinal towards He Bingjiao of China last Saturday. The 5th seeded Indian will move swords with Japan’s Aya Ohori inside the starting round of the BWF World Tour Super 750. She is probable to get a chance to avenge her first-round loss at the All England Championship towards Sung Ji Hyun of Korea, who she is anticipated to face in the 2d round.
Indonesia Masters champion Saina Nehwal, who had battled pain after developing pancreas infection en path to the All England Champion quarterfinals, will search for a terrific trip after skipping the Swiss Open and India Open. The eighth-seeded Indian will face Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong inside the first round. Among others, HS Prannoy will make an appearance to maintain his promising display after regaining some shape at the India Open, in which he reached the quarterfinals. He will make rectangular off towards Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus. Sameer Verma can even appear to snap his run of early exits this yr, but it will be less difficult said than performed as he faces global no 2 Shi Yuqi of China.
Men’s doubles pair Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy, the only Indian pair to attain the semifinals at New Delhi last week, will face 7th seed Chinese pair of Han Chengkai and Zhou Haodong in the first round, even as Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy will take on Korean pair of Baek Ha Na and Kim Hye Rin. Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Sikki will meet Ireland’s Sam Magee and Chloe Magee of their opener.