Indian shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and Sai Praneeth created history on Saturday by setting up a all-Indian Super Series men’s single final for the first time with dominating semi-final victories at the Singapore Open.
In the first semi-final Sai Praneeth dished out a dominating performance to outclass Korea’s Lee Dong-keun in straight games and reach his maiden Super Series final while Srikanth overcame a sluggish start to go past Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
Srikanth, a former World No.3, notched up a 21-13 21-14 win over World No. 26 Ginting to reach the third Super Series final of his career. After trailing 6-10 in the first game, Srikanth won 24 of the next 28 points before closing out the win in the second game.
Interestingly, Praneeth has a 4-1 head-to-head record against his more illustrious compatriot, Srikanth who had clinched the 2014 China Super Series Premier and 2015 India Super Series and also reached the quarterfinals of Rio Olympics.
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Lost just 14 points.Led throughout.What a way to win your 1st Super Series semifinal! Well done Sai Praneeth!#SingaporeSS pic.twitter.com/4ewA385IEy— ScoopWhoop News (@scoopwhoopnews) April 15, 2017
Praneeth, who had reached the finals at Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold in January only to suffer an injury in his shoulders, continued his rampaging run in the tournament to thrash three-time Korea Masters Grand Prix Gold winner Lee 21 -6 21-8 in a lop-sided semifinal match.
The 24-year-old from Hyderabad, who had clinched the Canada Open last year, came out with a well sorted strategy and executed it brilliantly to completely blow away his opponent in the opening game.
In the second game, Praneeth continued to dominate the proceedings and zoomed to a 9-1 lead. The Korean managed to reduce the deficit to 4-10 before the Indian entered the break with a 11-4 lead.
The Indian has some big wins in his career, which include victories against 2003 All England Champion Muhammad Hafiz, former World and Olympic champion Hashim of Malaysia, and three-time Olympic silver medallist and World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia.