Rampant Srikanth cruises into semis, Saina ousted from Hong Kong Open

Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth continued his impressive run by entering the men’s singles semifinals of the $350,000 Hong Kong Open Super Series as compatriot Saina Nehwal had to bite the dust in her women’s singles campaign after losing in the quarter-finals here Friday.

The Olympic bronze medallist could not replicate her last week’s China Open title win as she went down in straight games to Chinese Taipei’s sixth seed Tai Tzu Ying 15-21, 19-21 in 39 minutes at the Hong Kong Coliseum. With the win, Tai bettered her career record to 3-5 against the World No.4 Saina.

After getting totally dominated in the first game, the third seeded Hyderabadi came up with a tough fight against the World No.9 in the second. The battle was neck-and-neck till 19-all when Tai held her nerve to win the next two points and bag the game and match.

Later Srikanth, who also won in China Sunday, thrashed local shuttler Wei Nan 21-14, 21-15 in 36 minutes to take a 2-0 lead in career meets.

World No.21 Wei gave a tough fight to Srikanth in the first game till 10-all. But thereon, the Guntur-born lad upped the ante to easily pocket the game in the next couple of minutes.

The second game was an even more easier contest as the World No.10 Indian rode on his early lead to seal the game and match in no time.

Srikanth, who defeated Chinese legend Lin Dan Sunday, takes on top seed and World No.2 in the semi-final Saturday.

Seeded third, Saina went down 15-21, 19-21 to her lower ranked opponent in just 39 minutes in Kowloon.

IANS