In an exciting show of skill and grit, former world number one Kidambi Srikanth has reached the final of the Syed Modi India International. The celebrated Indian shuttler is now just one win away from his first BWF World Tour title since 2017, raising hopes among his fans.
How Did Srikanth Secure His Spot in the Final?
The path to the final was not easy. Srikanth faced a strong challenge from fellow Indian Mithun Manjunath in a tense 59-minute semi-final. The match, full of powerful smashes and smart plays, saw Srikanth win 21-15, 19-21, 21-13. Even though Manjunath fought back in the second game, Srikanth held his nerve to take the decider. He credited a strong start for his victory, stating, “I always wanted to have a good start and it was there. And once I got it right, I went on exploiting it till the end.”
Why is This Final So Significant?
A victory here would mark a monumental comeback for the 2021 World Championships silver medallist. Srikanth has a special history with this tournament, having won it in 2016. However, he has been waiting for a title on the BWF World Tour for over six years. His last win was at the 2017 French Open, making this final a crucial moment in his career as he seeks to re-establish himself at the top of the sport. His confident statement, “for sure, I am here to win my second title,” underscores his belief and determination.
Who Will He Face in the Title Decider?
Standing between Srikanth and the championship trophy is Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan. Gunawan secured his place in the final after his opponent, Japan’s Minoru Koga, conceded their match due to an injury. History is on Srikanth’s side, as he has never lost to Gunawan, holding a 2-0 record. This, along with the support of the home crowd, makes him the favorite to win the title.
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How Did Other Indian Contenders Fare?
While Srikanth celebrated his success, it was a day of mixed results for the Indian contingent. The top-seeded women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who are also the defending champions, continued their dominant run. They comfortably defeated their Malaysian opponents to advance to the final. However, in the women’s singles, both Tanvi Sharma and Unnati Hooda saw their campaigns end in the semi-finals. Tanvi gave her best but lost to Japan’s Hina Akechi, while Unnati was defeated by Turkey’s Neslihan Arin.
