Tokyo [Japan], August 31 (ANI): Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Kidambi Srikanth introduced his A-game to beat world quantity 4 Lee Zii Jia within the first spherical of the Japan Open on Wednesday.
The Indian shuttler disregarded his World Championships efficiency the place he crashed out within the spherical of 32, to place up an excellent present towards the Malaysian.
He registered his first win in 4 conferences with Lee in straight units 22-20, 23-21.
The former world primary needed to toil onerous for his win as he confronted a stern problem from the 24-year-old. Each set noticed the 2 gamers being neck to neck.
Lee Zii Jia had defeated Kidambi Srikanth in all earlier encounters and this was the primary time he may edge previous the Malaysian.
The Indian shuttler will look to hold the momentum and end within the high three.
Lakshya Sen crashed out of the Japan Open’s first spherical on Wednesday. The top-seeded Indian misplaced to Japan’s Nishimoto Ok in an exciting contest 21-18, 14-21, 13-21.
India’s high medal contender for the event couldn’t replicate his glorious kind and misplaced the match in three units. Sen received the primary set however misplaced his rhythm within the second set, operating out of fuel within the third one.
Saina Nehwal discovered a troublesome draw and was confronted with the uphill process of defeating the world champion to advance ahead. However, Akane Yamaguchi enjoying in entrance of her residence crowd was ruthless and knocked Nehwal out 21-9, 21-17.
The ace shuttler was fully dominated by the highest seed within the first spherical, virtually scoring factors at will. The Indian did present promise within the second set however couldn’t overcome the problem posed by the Japanese.
Earlier, Prannoy HS superior to the subsequent spherical on Tuesday after his opponent threw within the towel and forfeited the match owing to an harm. The Indian was main narrowly within the first set when his Chinese Taipei opponent retired.
The Japan Open is being performed from August 30 to September 4. (ANI)