Former champion Kidambi Srikanth staved off a spirited challenge from Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus to progress to the second round of the Denmark Open Super 750 badminton tournament.
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Returning to the venue where he had claimed the title five years ago, the 2021 World Championships silver medallist notched up a 17-21 21-14 21-12 win over the world number 14 Hong Kong player in a 56-minute contest. Coming into the match with a 3-3 head-to-head record, Srikanth found the going tough against Angus and soon fell behind as the Hong Kong player eked out a 11-8 lead at the mid-game interval.
Angus didn’t allow the Indians to make a comeback to eventually take the opening game. In the second game, Srikanth managed to take a 6-3 lead but Angus turned the tables to grab a 10-8 lead.
Srikanth got his acts together at the nick of time and reeled off eight straight points to move to 16-10. He kept his calm to take the match to the decider.
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In the third game, Srikanth came out all guns blazing to jump to a 11-4 cushion at the interval. He produced some good quality shots at the net and also covered the court well to seal the match comfortably with a sharp return at his rival front court.
The former world number one Indian will take on 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the next round.
