India's Kidambi Srikanth secured a spot in the second round of the Malaysia Open Super 1000 badminton tournament on January 9 in Kuala Lumpur. He staged a comeback victory against the fifth-ranked Indonesian Jonatan Christie.
Despite going through a challenging period, the 30-year-old player from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, displayed resilience, winning the opening-round match with a remarkable score of 12-21, 21-18, 21-16 in a one-hour and five-minute contest.
The former world no. 1 is set to face Hong Kong's NG Ka Long Angus in the next round.
Despite being a silver medallist in the 2021 World Championships, Srikanth has often faced challenges in sustaining the pressure of a three-game match, leading to several early exits. However, on January 9, he exhibited excellent form by maintaining an aggressive approach, even after losing the opening game, ultimately securing victory.
While Srikanth has had demanding encounters against the Indonesian opponent, winning six out of 11 meetings, the first match of the new season didn't start well for him. Initially trailing 4-7, he briefly managed to make it 8-7, but hopes dwindled as Christie surged ahead with nine consecutive points, leaving Srikanth stranded.
Guided by coach Parupalli Kashyap, Srikanth initially took a 4-0 lead in the second game, but Christie quickly surged ahead to establish an 11-7 advantage at the break. Although the Indonesian maintained a 17-14 lead at one point, Srikanth made a strong comeback by winning seven of the next eight points, reigniting the competition.
In the deciding game, Srikanth faced challenges as Christie controlled the rallies, advancing from 5-0 to 14-9.
However, employing aggressive returns and precise placements, the Indian compelled Christie to manoeuvre uncomfortably as the momentum shifted. The Indonesian also committed a few unforced errors, allowing Srikanth to take control with a seven-point burst, reaching a score of 16-14. Srikanth maintained the pressure, and his jubilation was evident as he celebrated when Christie hit the shuttle long once again.
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