Srikanth enters final, eyes first title since 2017

Former world No.1 Kidambi Srikanth, who claimed the silver medal at the 2021 World Championships, has been one of the most popular shuttlers at the Syed Modi India International here since its conversion into a Super 300 event on the BWF World Tour in 2018.

- Sharad Deep

Srikanth won here in 2016 after losing to his current coach and then India No.1, Parupalli Kashyap in the final in 2015. He is waiting for his second crown here since.

He took another step to ending the long wait on Saturday, making the final of the $240,000 event, defeating compatriot Mithun Manjunath in a three-game thriller at the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Academy before a sizable crowd.

In a tense 59-minute men’s singles semifinal, world No.38 Srikanth, despite losing the second game to young Manjunath, showed excellent control over his serve and flicks to win 21-15, 19-21, 21-13.