Srikanth blows away Lee

Odense, October 22 

Kidmabi Srikanth clinched his third Super Series Premier title with a dominating straight-game victory over Korean veteran Lee Hyun Il in a lop-sided final of the $750,000 Denmark Open here today. 

Playing an opponent 12 years his senior, Srikanth asserted his dominance with a 21-10 21-5 win over the 37-year-old Lee in a match that lasted just 25 minutes.

“I am happy with the way it went for me, it was fantastic. I beat some tough players this week,” Srikanth said.

“I can’t even say it’s a dream come true because I never dreamt of wining three titles this year! I really want to continue playing well,”  said Srikanth, who also won the Indonesia Super Series Premier and Australia Super Series this year.

“He (Lee) is one of the most experienced players in the circuit. He is one of the best players, he is a two-time Olympics semifinalist. It is a tremendous feat. He has a different style and he is known to turn matches after losing the first game, so I am happy to win in straight games,” Srikanth said.

“I just wanted to continue what I did this week and not do anything fancy. I feel I have to be more consistent in the coming months.”

Asked if he expected it to be so lop-sided, Srikanth said: “I didn’t. Maybe he was tired after a long match yesterday.”

In the first game, Srikanth opened up a 9-5 lead. Lee had no answer to Srikanth’s razor-sharp smashes and cross-court returns. Lee also made judgement errors at the baseline as Srikanth extended his advantage to 17-8. The Korean hit two long shots and then sent one into the net to hand a 20-8 lead to the Indian. The Indian made two unforced errors to allow Lee get into doubles figures. But Lee again erred as Srikanth pocketed the game.

In the second game, Srikanth upped the ante and zoomed to 11-1 even as Lee struggled with his strokes, hitting wide and long. It wasn’t long before Srikanth smashed his way to the title.

Earlier, 2013 world champion Ratchanok Intanon produced another gritty display to stave off the challenge from world No. 5 and defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 14-21 21-15 21-19 to win her first title of the season. — PTI