BAI announces 5 lakhs to Srikanth for winning Australia Open Super Series
Internet Desk: India’s star shuttler Kidambi Srikanth beats Olympic gold medalist Chen Long in a nail biting contest to clinch the Australian Open Super Series men’s singles title on Sunday. Srikanth won the tie in straight games 22-20, 21-16 to win his fourth Super Series title. With this win Kidambi Srikanth goes to No.1 in Dubai Destination Rankings.
It was Srikanth’s second back to back title win after he bagged the Indonesian Open Super Series Premier last week.
Srikanth who made it to the final of the Singapore Open couple of months back and won the Indonesia Open before this Super Series has become the fifth shuttler in the history of badminton to reach the three back to back Super Series finals.
In the opening game Chen gave Srikanth a tough fight and at one stage the game was evenly poised. However a confident Srikanth took 11-9 lead at the break. The game went down the wire as the Chinese saved a game point with a powerful cross court smash. But Srikanth didn’t lose his nerve and went on to win the game by 22-20 and took a 1-0 lead in 23 minutes.
Srikanth didn’t give any chance to his opponent in the second set as he took an early 6-2 lead over the present All England winner. At the break his lead was 11-9. After the break the Indian shuttler extended his lead by 19-15. And then sealed the game and match by 21-16 to win his second back to back Super Series title.
To celebrate this historic moment, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Badminton Association of India has announced a cash reward of 5 lakhs for Srikanth, who not only won his fourth superseries title but also also became the only sixth badminton player in the world to make it to three consecutive superseries finals on the trot.
Dr. Sarma was delighted at Srikanth’s feat and congratulated him after his amazing win. “We are really very proud of Srikanth for his achievements. It is simply phenomenal.He has not only made the whole country proud once again but has etched his name among the best and no word would enough to praise Srikanth,” Dr. Sarma said.
Reiterating President’s views Mr. Anup Narang official spokesperson and Secretary General of BAI further added, “It is indeed a very huge achievement for Srikanth and Indian badminton. The entire BAI is in a jubilant mood and I am sure so is the badminton fans across the country.”
Apart from Srikanth, performance of other Indian players at the Australian Open Superseries were also great as Sai Praneeth, PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal all made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament.