Hong Kong Open: Kidambi Srikanth loses semi-final clash to Lee Cheuk Yiu in straight games as India's campaign comes to end

Hong Kong: A profligate Kidambi Srikanth was knocked out of the USD 400,000 Hong Kong Open following a straight-game semifinal defeat to local favourite Lee Cheuk Yiu here on Saturday. The former world no 1 squandered six game points in the second game to suffer 9-21, 23-25 in contest that lasted 42-minutes. It was his first semifinal appearance since making the last four at the India Open Super 500. He had finished runner-up at the event.

Tough luck!@srikidambi's fine run at the #HongKongOpen comes to an end in the semifinals after he goes down 9-21, 23-25 to 🇭🇰's Lee Cheuk Yiu in 42 minutes.

Come back stronger, champ! #badminton #IndiaontheRise pic.twitter.com/1RVpRdwRvF

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) November 16, 2019

Srikanth fell back early in the opening game with Lee opening up a 6-1 lead. The Indian tried to catch up but failed to narrow the gap. In the second game, Srikanth stepped up the gas taking an early 5-1 lead. However, Lee soon restored parity. The shuttlers fought neck and neck with Srikanth surging ahead but the Indian lost momentum, eventually conceding the match. Srikanth had beaten the 23-year-old Lee in straight games at the India Open last year in their only career meeting. With Srikanth’s defeat, the Indian challenge here also came to an end.