World Badminton Championships: Sindhu, Srikanth triumph, reach second round

Jakarta: Two-time bronze medallist, P V Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth started their campaign at the World Badminton Championships with contrasting victories in the women’s and men’s singles competition respectively in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The 11th seed, Sindhu, who clinched the bronze medal in 2013 and 2014 editions, had to dig deep into her reservoir of talent to outwit Denmark’s Line Kjærsfeldt 11-21 21-17 21-16 in a 50-minute match.

The World No. 13 Indian had spent most of the time this season nursing an injury and had been struggling for form. Sindhu, who got a bye in the first round, will next take on Olympic champion and former World No.1 LI Xuerui of China in the pre quarterfinals.

World No. 3, Srikanth, however, didn’t need to break any sweat as he brushed aside Australia’s Michael Fariman 21-10 21-13 in a 24-minute lop-sided match. The India Open winner will face Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Jen Hao next in the second round.

In the women’s singles match, Sindhu was caught off guard by Line, ranked 35th in the world, as she didn’t give the Indian any chance in the first game and held on to an early 6-1 lead to earn the bragging rights.

The Indian got her bearings in the second game as she opened up a 5-2 lead but Line clawed back at 7-7. Sindhu, however, once again drifted away and managed to held on to her lead even though Line kept breathing down her neck.

In the decider, Line zoomed to a 4-1 lead but Sindhu turned the table with four straight points. The duo then fought tooth and nail before Sindhu jumped from 8-9 to lead 13-9. The Dane came as close as 14-15 but Sindhu ensured there was no more hiccups.

“First game didn’t go well, but overall it was okay. Could have played much better ( in the first game ). It was a good match and even my opponent played well. Pre quarters match is against Li Xuerui , hope I play well,” Sindhu said after the match.

In men’s singles, Srikanth had no problems as he quickly broke off at 4-4 and 6-6 in the first and second game respectively and held on to his fort to eventually come up trumps.

“It was a good match. 1st rounds are always tricky and ( I am ) happy to finish it in 2 games. I am playing against Hsu Jen Hai in the next round. I have played him only once before. It will be a good match tomorrow and I want to play my best,” Srikanth said after the match.

PTI