Sydney: India’s Kidambi Srikanth claimed a first victory over Olympic and two-time world champion Chen Long to win the Australian Open Superseries final in Sydney on Sunday.
The 11th-ranked Srikanth outgunned the sixth-ranked Chinese star 22-20, 21-16 in 46 minutes for his second successive Superseries title after winning the Indonesia Open earlier this month.
Srikanth had earlier defeated fourth seed Shi Yuqi of China to reach the final on Saturday. The Guntur player took only 37 minutes to outplay his Chinese opponent 21-10, 21-14.
It was Srikanth’s first win in six encounters with the Rio Olympic champion with Chen defeating the Indian at the Sudirman Cup on Australia’s Gold Coast last month. Indians have now won four of the six Superseries this year. Srikanth is in career-best form after returning from injury in April.
Badminton Association of India (BAI) President Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a cash reward of Rs five lakh for Kidambi Srikanth as praise poured in from all quarters.
Srikanth not only won his fourth superseries title but also became the only sixth badminton player in the world to make it to three consecutive superseries finals on the trot.
“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 will be enough to praise Srikanth,” Sarma said.
BAI Secretary General Anup Narang said: “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 are the badminton fans across the country.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated Srikanth for winning the Australia Open Super Series men’s singles title.
“Congratulations srikidambi for your great win and performance,” Banerjee tweeted.
