India shuttler Kidambi Srikanth stormed into the semi-final of the Singapore Open with a stunning 21-14, 21-16 win against the World No 8, Shi Yuqi of China on Friday.
Despite a close start between the two players, the 29th-ranked Srikanth never looked back after getting into the lead. The fifth seeded Yuqi could never find a foothold in the game in the first game, which Srikanth won by a comfortable 21-14 margin.
Yuqi got off to a much better start in the second game but yet again came second best once Srikanth got his free-flowing game going. At the break, the 23-year-old was holding on to a slender 11-10 lead and then reeled off points with consummate ease from there to stun his eight-ranked opponent.
Earlier in the day, another Indian, B Sai Praneeth also booked a place in the last four – it will be his maiden appearance in a Superseries semifinal. Praneeth will face South Korea’s Lee Dong Keun while Srikanth will face Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting.
You’ve read Scroll.
Now help sustain it
Scroll is funded by readers, not corporate owners. If you believe our work matters, support our newsroom. Become a member today!
We’re not driven by clicks or corporate interests – just honest, independent reporting. Keep us going. Support Scroll today!