Highlights Indonesia SSP final, badminton scores and results: Kidambi Srikanth wins title; beats Kazamusa Sakai in straight games
Catch the live scores and updates from the final of the men’s and women’s singles as Kidambi Srikanth eyes his third Superseries title against Japan’s Kazumasa Sakai at the 2017 BCA Indonesia Superseries Premier.
 "Highlights Indonesia SSP final, badminton scores and results: Kidambi Srikanth wins title; beats Kazamusa Sakai in straight games")
Hope you enjoyed our live blog. We will be back to provide the live updates for the Australian Open from Tuesday. Tell then, take care!
And that’s all from the final day of the 2017 BCA Indonesia Superseries Premier badminton tournament.
It was a delightful win for World No 22 Kidambi Srikanth as he cruised past Japan’s Kazumasa Sakai in straight games to claim his third Superseries title.
Elsewhere, World No 3 Sung Ji Hyun was stunned by Japan’s Sayaka Sato in a three-game thriller. This was her maiden Indonesia Superseries Premier title.
Sung Ji Hyun claims a silver medal at #IndonesiaSSP after losing a hard fought match to Sayaka Sato. Tough luck! pic.twitter.com/N5dFXB1adX
— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) June 18, 2017
Sayaka Sato beats Sung Ji Hyun: 21-13, 17-21, 21-14
Japanese shuttler Sato attacked the first game with quick wrist shots but squandered her lead in the second. However, she ran away with the lead in the third game as Sung Ji was stretched on the tramlines very often.
Sato claimed her maiden Indonesia Superseries Premier title after losing in the final 7 years ago at the hands of Saina Nehwal.
Now that’s great news!
Congrats @srikidambi on your superb win at #IndonesiaSSP Finals. You've made us all proud. Glad to announce Re 5 lakh award from @BAI_Media pic.twitter.com/hiR9N8kEAZ
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 18, 2017
Srikanth Kidambi clinches his second Superseries Premier title!
Dominated the first game and went on the win the match against journeyman Kazumasa Sakai in straight games. With this win, Srikanth moves up to No 2 from 14 in the Dubai Destination Rankings. He gave away a handful of points in the second game, all due to the net errors. Sakai, on the other hand, was all fired up in the second game despite hiccups in the first one. He invited pressure towards the end of the second game, allowing Srikanth to take control of his shots from the forecourt.
Congratulations @srikidambi on winning #IndonesiaSSP. Top start 👌 Now for our cricket and hockey teams to finish the job 😃 #GoWell #IndvPak
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) June 18, 2017
A round of applause to Pullela Gopichand and Mulyo Hundoyo whose efforts are showing off with Indians achieving success! #IndonesiaSSP
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) June 18, 2017
Srikanth Kidambi beats Kazumasa Sakai 21-11, 21-19 and becomes the first Indian man to win #IndonesiaSSP. Time to rejoice! pic.twitter.com/gEhMPRi0Kq
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) June 18, 2017
Srikanth Kidambi beats Kazumasa Sakai: 21-11, 21-19
Former World No 3 Kidambi Srikanth wins his maiden Indonesia Superseries title after beating Sakai in straight games.
UTTER DOMINATION IN ATTACK!
19-19! Both @srikidambi and Sakai not letting the other gain an upper handhttps://t.co/58U7zZQSYV #IndonesiaSSP
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 18, 2017
18-18! What a second game this is turning out to be. Srikanth must take control now
Sakai doesn't allow a shuttle change requested by Srikanth so Kidambi hits a splendid smash. This is a rollercoaster game! #IndonesiaSSP
— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) June 18, 2017
17-17! @srikidambi and Sakai have a duel worthy of a final going on in Game 2 https://t.co/58U7zZQSYV #IndonesiaSSP
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 18, 2017
17-15! Sakai takes a two-point lead as we approach the end of the second game. A couple of misjudged decisions from Srikanth there.
15-15! It’s neck-and-neck in the second game as both Srikanth and Sakai are just banking on their attacking prowess
THAT SMASH WAS JUST TOO HOT TO HANDLE!
14-13! @srikidambi smashes his way into the leadhttps://t.co/58U7zZQSYV #IndonesiaSSP
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 18, 2017
13-13! Seven points for Srikanth since the mid-game interval as he levels the scores in the second game. Can he stage a comeback to win the match?
13-12! @srikidambi is closing in on Sakai's lead with some smart strokeplayhttps://t.co/58U7zZQSYV #IndonesiaSSP
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 18, 2017
12-10! Srikanth wins two consecutive points with the help of his attacking prowess from the forecourt
12-8! Sakai is beginning to dominate the net in the second game.
Srikanth uses his height to great advantage to hit those thunderous smashes! #IndonesiaSSP
— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) June 18, 2017
Sakai wins a captivating rally to take a crucial lead in the second game. Come on, Srikanth! #IndonesiaSSP
— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) June 18, 2017
9-5! Srikanth is taking the advantage of the drift inside the Jakarta Convention Center. He needs to follow up well.
7-3! That was quick!
A four-point lead for Sakai who is much more confident in the second game.
5-3! Sakai is all pumped up in the second game as he plans to go all-out-attack against Srikanth.
3-2! Great defence from Sakai as he manages to execute a fine drive from the midcourt to take a slender one-point lead.
All eyes will be on Srikanth in the crucial second game!
Kidambi Srikanth wins the first game: 21-11
Excellent attacking play from Srikanth there as he toys around with Sakai in the first hurdle to put the Japanese shuttler under immense pressure.
19-11! Srikanth has taken an unassailable lead in the first game as Sakai has been stretched on the basepoint.
17-9! Excellent court coverage from Srikanth enables him to play with even more attack. It is a treat to watch Srikanth when he is on a roll.
14-9! Srikanth has been brilliant with his defensive lifts so far as Sakai is trying to target the Indian shuttler with speedy shots.
11-8! @srikidambi with a 3-point advantage over Sakai at the mid-game interval https://t.co/58U7zZQSYV #IndonesiaSSP
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 18, 2017
10-8! Kidambi leading with a superb shot.
8-5! Srikanth extends his lead with a smart forehand trickery. It will be interesting to see if he manages to play his attacking game throughout the match!
5-3! Srikanth has taken an early lead to put some pressure on the Japanese shuttler. He is playing shots from the forecourt as expected.
If Srikanth manages to win, he will clinch a career-high ranking of No 2 in the BWF rankings.
If he loses, he can still enjoy the 5th spot in the rankings.
A win-win situation?
Who's waiting for @srikidambi's match? #IndonesiaSSP
— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) June 18, 2017
Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan beat Chang Ye Na and Lee So Hee: 21-19, 15-21, 21-10
The third seeds from China win the final of the women’s doubles in three games.
Best wishes to My all indian Players today @TheHockeyIndia, @BCCI & @srikidambi. Let's all cheer for #TeamIndia. 🏏🏑🏸 #INDvPAK #IndonesiaSSP
— Vinod Chavda 🇮🇳 (@VinodChavdaBJP) June 18, 2017
.@srikidambi will be in action as he takes on Kazumasa Sakai in the men's singles final
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 18, 2017
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/58U7zZQSYV #IndonesiaSSP pic.twitter.com/3BaPdK1WUl
Kidambi Srikanth vs Kazumasa Sakai: Preview
It’s the battle between the former World No 4 and the unseeded Japanese shuttler as the duo meet for the first time ever in a BWF tournament. Srikanth lost the opportunity to grab a Superseries title after losing to B Sai Praneeth in the final, however, he stands a chance to finally win it against a rejuvenated Sakai. It’s the first Superseries final for the Japanese shuttler, who is ranked at 47 in the BWF rankings.
It won’t be an easy win for Srikanth as many predicted because of Sakai ability to shift the momentum out of nowhere. He defeated Rajiv Ouseph in a three-game thriller on Friday and snatched a win against high-flying HS Prannoy in the semi-final. In this case, Srikanth will have to keep Sakai on toes with his range of attacking shots and net plays.
Get ready for a cracker of a match!
Here’s how Kidambi Srikanth dished out gritty performance to stun World No 1 Son Wan Ho and storm into final!
Ahead of the men’s singles final, here’s all you need to know about Kazumasa Sakai, who aims to end Japanese men’s singles misery by winning his maiden Superseries title against Kidambi Srikanth.
Best wishes to @TheHockeyIndia, @BCCI and @srikidambi. Let's all cheer for #TeamIndia. 🏏🏑🏸 #INDvPAK #IndonesiaSSP
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) June 18, 2017
BAI's general secretary @NarangAnup sends his regards to @srikidambi ahead of the crucial #IndonesiaSSP final! @himantabiswa pic.twitter.com/vYTkcE0aha
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) June 18, 2017
BAI's general secretary @NarangAnup sends his regards to @srikidambi ahead of the crucial #IndonesiaSSP final! @himantabiswa pic.twitter.com/vYTkcE0aha
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) June 18, 2017
Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of the final day at the 2017 BCA Indonesia Superseries Premier as India’s Kidambi Srikanth takes on qualifier Kazumasa Sakai in the final of the men’s singles, while Sung Ji Hyun will square off against Japan’s Sayaka Sato in the women’s singles final.
So, stick around and don’t forget to cheer for your favourite shuttler(s).
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