In a spectacular display of resilience, Kidambi Srikanth orchestrated a remarkable comeback to advance to the second round of the Malaysia Open Super 1000 badminton tournament. The 30-year-old Indian, hailing from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, overcame World No. 5 Indonesian Jonatan Christie in a gripping three-game encounter on Tuesday.
Facing a lean phase, Srikanth bounced back from a set down, securing a thrilling 12-21, 21-18, 21-16 victory over the sixth-seeded Christie in a match that lasted one hour and five minutes. The former World No. 1 showcased his determination and attacking prowess, setting the stage for an enthralling tournament in Kuala Lumpur.
Srikanth, a silver medallist at the 2021 World Championships, has often grappled with early exits in recent times. However, the seasoned shuttler exhibited fine form against Christie, known for their competitive history with Srikanth securing victory six times in their 11 meetings.
With Parupalli Kashyap in the coach’s chair, Srikanth faced an initial setback in the opening game, trailing 4-7. Despite Christie’s dominance, Srikanth turned the tide in the second game, overcoming an 11-7 deficit to clinch a crucial win. The decider witnessed intense rallies, with Christie initially leading 14-9, but Srikanth’s attacking returns and strategic placements spurred a seven-point surge, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory.
Srikanth’s journey in the Malaysia Open continues as he sets sights on the second round clash against Hong Kong’s NG Ka Long Angus. The thrilling comeback against a top-ranked opponent marks a promising start to the new season for the Indian badminton ace.
Read Latest Badminton updates on CrPatiNews
- Thrilling Performances by Indian Shuttlers at China Masters 2024Catch the thrilling performances of Indian shuttlers at the China Masters 2024. Read about Anupama Upadhyaya’s stunning upset, Sumeeth and Sikki Reddy’s doubles triumph, and more.
- History Created By India: India Strikes 9 Golds and Bags 29 Medals at Paris Paralympics 2024Read about How many Indian Athletes won the medals in the Paralympics Paris Games 2024. Avani Lekhara created history by winning gold.
- The Medal Hopes Ended For Young Talented Lakshya Sen After Defeat in Bronze Medal Match in Paris Olympics 2024Read about the defeat of young badminton talent Lakshya Sen in the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024, ending his medal hopes.