China Open: Triumphant Shuttlers Saina Nehwal, K Srikanth Script History

By siliconindia | Monday, 17 November 2014, 03:57 Hrs

FUZHOU: India's leading shuttler Saina Nehwal clinched the women's singles title of the $700,000 China Open Super Series Premier but compatriot Kidambi Srikanth grabbed all the headlines by pulling off the biggest upset of his career when he beat two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan to win the men's singles title at Fuzhou, China on Sunday.

While sixth seeded Saina won her second Super Series title of 2014, after Australian Open in June, by overcoming Japanese Akane Yamaguchi 21-12, 22-20 in 42 minutes, Srikanth stunned the five-time World Champion Chinese 21-19, 21-17 in 46 minutes at the Haixia Olympic Sport Center.

Srikanth on the eve of the summit clash said that it was his childhood dream to play 'Super' Dan in a final, that too in his own backyard. Come Sunday, he not only fulfilled his dream but went one step better by ousting the legendary Chinese in straight games to earn his first win in three outings against Dan.

Srikanth, ranked No.16 in the world, took off well and fast by going into a 9-4 lead in the first game. However, Dan, in his usual style, took time to get into his rhythm to close the gap at 15-all.

It was neck-and-neck till 19-all but Srikanth held his nerves to take the next two points and bag his first ever game against Dan, often called the greatest ever shuttler.

Source: PTI