26 June,2017 02:32 PM IST | Mumbai | Sundari Iyer
Kidambi Srikanth rates Australian Open win over Olympic champ Chen Long as top of the line; becomes first Indian shuttler and only sixth player in the world ever to feature in three consecutive Super Series finals
India's Srikanth celebrates his win over Chen Long yesterday. Pic/AFP
India's Srikanth celebrates his win over Chen Long yesterday. Pic/AFP
India's super shuttler Kidambi Srikanth was over the moon yesterday after beating World and Olympic champion Chen Long of China to win the Australian Open Super Series in Sydney. World No. 11 Srikanth beat World No. 6 Long 22-20, 21-16 in 45 minutes for his second consecutive Super Series title, having won the Indonesia Open last week.
"Every match I played in this tournament was special. Though the China Open was memorable as it brought me into limelight and there was so much attention thereafter, this final will remain one of the biggest wins of my career," Srikanth told mid-day yesterday. In 2014, Srikanth beat Chinese badminton legend Lin Dan to seal his maiden China Open crown.
Yesterday, Srikanth became the first Indian shuttler and only the sixth player in the world ever to feature in three consecutive Super Series finals.
It's not these statistics however, but results that matter to the 24-year-old. "For me, winning tournaments is what matters. I just want to win more and more tournaments," added Srikanth, who has won 10 straight games in eight days, including matches at the Indonesia Open, and has beaten World No. 1 Son Wan Ho twice besides top-ranked Chinese shuttler Shi Yuqi.
'It's not been easy'
"It's been a fantastic last couple of weeks, but it's not been easy. I had to fight hard for every win." Though he was playing against an Olympic and World Champion, in this final, Srikanth said that he approached the game like any other match. "I was normal before the final. I didn't feel any pressure at all. For me, it was just another match. I went there to play and enjoy myself. My strategy against Long was simple - just be patient and don't give him any easy point or early lead," he said.
Entering the summit showdown in Sydney, Srikanth, capitalised on his opponent's sluggish start to got into a 10-6 lead in the first game. Long launched a comeback for 11-11, but the Indian's lethal cross-court smashes were no match for the Chinese. Srikanth did not let the momentum slip and sealed the first game in 23 minutes.
The second game began with a fiery baseline rally that ended with Srikanth smashing his way to earn the first point. He ensured his opponent was always in check and raised his game a couple of notches higher against an increasingly faltering Long after the mid-game break. It took the Indian shuttler a minute less than the first game to wrap up the proceedings.
Let's hand it to Handoyo
Pullela Gopichand is the head coach of the Indian badminton team and is often credited for the country's success in the sport. However, Srikanth spoke of a special bond he's developed with Indonesian Mulyo Handoyo, better known for having coached Malaysian ace Taufiq Hidayat, who was brought in to train India's singles players early this year, Srikanth said Handoyo has infused energy in not just him, but other men's singles players like B Sai Praneeth, HS Prannoy etc.
"Under his (Handoyo) training all our men's singles players are doing well. He deserves a lot of the credit for this along with Gopi sir. With him around, I'm sure, we will perform even better," said Srikanth, who will next play in the prestigious BWF World Championship (21-27 August) in Glasgow's Emirates Arena.
Rs 36 lakh
Srikanth's Australian Open winner's prize cheque ($56,000)
