Saina, Srikanth begin on a winning note

Dubai, December 17

On a superb day for Indian shuttlers, Saina Nehwal and World No.8 Kidambi Srikanth won their respective singles matches to open the World Super Series badminton final campaign on a positive note, here today.
Fifth-seeded Saina stunned reigning Asian Games champion Shixian Wang of China 21-17, 21-18 to lead the way.
The highest-ranked Indian male shuttler, Srikanth, had a tough outing against Kento Momota of Japan but the sixth-seeded player overturned a one-game deficit to win 15-21 21-16 21-10.
Srikanth, 21, who was a year older than his Japanese opponent, started off lazily to lose the first game but soon got the grip. After the hard fought hard second game, Srikanth took complete control in the third game.
Earlier, Saina showed great temperament and good repertoire of strokes to tame Shixian, who had beaten the Indian four times in their last five meetings. Coming into the match, Saina held a 5-5 record against Shixian and kept the Chinese on a tight lease right from the start and the result was an intense battle of nerves.
The intensity of the clash was palpable as Saina produced a fast-paced game and engaged Shixian in rallies which drained out the Chinese. — PTI