A day after beating the World No.1 Son Wan Ho in Australian Open Super pre-quarter-final, Indian ace shuttler Srikanth Kidambi has successfully entered the semi-finals after beating Sai Praneeth in two direct sets by 25-23 and 21-17 on June 23. It has been the 3rd victory for him in a row and now he is all set to play the semi-finals. Despite a close encounter between these Indian shuttlers, Kidambi successfully restricted Sai in the second set itself and entered the next round.
Both the sets were not at all easy for either of the shuttlers to play, In the first set, Praneet led by the game by 5-3 in the beginning. Later, Srikanth pulled off the game on his side and made the game bit interesting by making the score 11-10 and surpassing his opponent.
Praneet looked in no mood to lose it easily. He gave a tough fight midway and the score was then levelled at 16-16. Later, he saved 3 game points and took the game to 20-20. The game was getting much interesting when it stretched till 23-23. But Srikanth was lucky enough to clinch the set and won the game by 25-23.
The level of excitement and thrill continued in the second set as well. However, this time again Praneet kept the lead right from the beginning. But he once again pulled the game up and dragged the score from 1-4 to 4-4.
Whenever 1 player tries to run away with points, the other makes a comeback. Srikanth draws level from 1-4 to 4-4 against Sai. #AustraliaSS
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) June 23, 2017
Later, trailing 6-9, Sai won three points in a row to make it 9-9. However, he could not hold the higher ranked player as Kidambi extended his lead to 11-9 at the break of the second game.
Srikanth Kidambi leads 11-9 against Sai Praneeth at the break of the second game. #AustraliaSS
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) June 23, 2017
Right from then, Srikanth kept this lead intact by taking a crucial 4-point lead and turned the score 16-12. Unfortunately, Praneet couldn’t catch up the lead and lost the game by 17-21.
.@srikidambi‘s stupendous run of form takes him into the semifinal of #AustraliaSS.
Srikanth Kidambi defeats Sai Praneeth 25-23, 21-17. pic.twitter.com/PEYCk3uplQ
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) June 23, 2017
.@srikidambi after India Open second round exit.
Played – 14
Won – 12Amazing consistency! #AustraliaSS semis calling.
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) June 23, 2017
In the semi-finals, Kidambi will the winner of second quarter-final game which is scheduled to be played between of Shi Y and Vittinghus H K.
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