Kidambi Srikanth wins Indonesia Open 2017 defeating Kazumasa Sakai of Japan

Kidambi Srikanth, triumphed Indonesia Open 2017 title defeating Kazumasa Sakai of Japan on June 18th, Sunday, and stood first player ever among men to win the glorious feat. After losing Singapore Open in finals in April, World no. 22 Srikanth, bounced back to win the straight games at Indonesia Open finals by 21-11, 21-19 in just 37 minutes. Srikanth was already very close to the title by defeating World no. 1 Son Wan Ho in semi-finals by 21-15, 14-21, 24-22 score line.

Srikanth, also known for his aggressive shots, took time to ascertain the conditions, initially, in the opening game and lost few points by wides and outs during the process. It was tough for Sakai as well. Indian led 6-4 as he picked up the game and took it to 11-8 at the interval.

After the break, it was completely net shots for both the players; it made Sakai to struggles. Srikanth made it to 19-11 and ended the match with an ease by 21-11 by the last two net shots.

In the second game, earlier Sakai took the lead by 7-3 with his aggressive approach. He ended the 1st part of the game by 11-6 lead with backhand net stroke. After the interval, Srikanth caught up the opponent by his aggressive net smashes to equalize the score by 13-13. That was a lengthy comeback for Srikanth.

It was neck-to-neck match for the Indian and the Japanese till 19-19. And, Srikanth won his first ever Indonesia Open title with his amazing angled smashes by 21-19.

Srikanth had not hesitated to give the complete credits to his coach Mulyo Handoyo, the coach who has been training Indian shuttlers since March this year. “My coach will have a special place in my heart as after he came, I reached the finals at Singapore and to win this tournament, which is considered the biggest tournament. I want to thank all the fans who have been rooting for me all this week,” he said.

He dropped the racket after the last shot, ran to hug his coach. That was a much obliged gesture from the player to the coach. This win is his trio super series title after 2014 China Super Series and 2015 India Super Series. “He was playing well, especially in the second game and I think for me coming back from 6-11 down and make it 13-13 was the turning point,” said Srikanth. 

From PM Modi to Amitabh Bachchan, dignitaries hail Indonesia Open champion Kidambi Srikanth,

"Congratulations @srikidambi! We are extremely delighted on your victory in the Indonesia Open Super Series tournament," Modi wrote in his twitter handle.

Badminton Association of India (BAI) president Himanta Biswa Sarma also congratulated Srikanth on his achievement and announced a financial reward for the shuttler. "Congrats @srikidambi on your superb win at #IndonesiaSSP Finals. You've made us all proud. Glad to announce Re 5 lakh award from @BAI_Media," Sarma tweeted.

Congratulations to Kidambi Srikanth on winning the Indonesian Open- a big day for Indian Badminton! @srikidambi tweeted from the office of RG

Congratulations @srikidambi for winning the Indonesia open. India is proud of you!! #IndonesiaSSP, Department of Sports MYAS tweeted

AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu wrote: Congratulations to @srikidambi for his outstanding performance & historic win at Indonesia Open 2017. A proud moment for India.

Congratulations to @srikidambi for winning the Indonesia Open Super Series Final. Proud moment for the country, tweeted CM of Karnataka.

Sachin Tendulkar wrote: Congratulations, @TheHockeyIndia team & @srikidambi for the victories today in #HockeyWorldLeague2017 and #IndonesiaOPEN2017 respectively

India cricketer Virender Sehwag also took to the social media platform to shower his praise on Srikanth. "Congratulations Kidambi Srikanth on becoming the first Indian to win the #IndonesiaOpen . Ek killa Fateh," he wrote.

Boxer Mary Kom tweeted: Congratulation @srikidambi. You deserve to be a champion. Keep fighting, never give up

Indian Gymnast Champ Dipa wrote: Congratulations @srikidambi 👏!! Keep going! 😊

Tennis Star Sania Mirza wrote: Well done @srikidambi 💪🏽💪🏽 way to go.. many more to come ... congratulations!!!

Taapsee said, Congratulations @srikidambi Way to go @TheHockeyIndia 👏🏼👏🏼 Are we gonna balance it out with cricket?? 🙈 #IndVsPak

7-1 at hockey. Brilliant from our guys. With @srikidambi and hockey, it hasn't been a bad sporting Sunday, wrote Harsha Bhogle

Srikanth's fellow shuttlers also congratulated him on his superb win.

Doubles specialist Ashwini Ponnappa wrote: "Super super super @srikidambi????Congratulations??????"

HS Prannoy, who lost in the semi-finals of the tournament after beating the likes of Lee Chong Wei and Chen Long, wrote: "@srikidambi congrats broooo !! ????"

Ajay Jayram tweeted, "Congratulations @srikidambi ! Super performance ????????????."

Super duper performance @srikidambi go for 🏆 @PRANNOYHSPRI u were excellent beating the two top players is a huge achievement!! 👏🏼👏🏼tweeted Jwala Gutta

Here are some more wishes

congratulations .. proud of you !! Srikanth Kidambi, you make us proud to be Indians .. !!!tweeted Amitabh Bachchan

Riteish Deshmukh wrote: Congratulations Srikanth Kidambi . You make India proud. 🇮🇳

Captain Abhimanyu‏ wrote, Many congratulations @srikidambi for winning #IndonesiaOpen . We proud of you.

Farhan Akthar wrote: Congratulations to K. Srikanth on becoming the first Indian man to win the Indonesia Superseries Premier title. 😊👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Tollywood actor Sudheer Babu wrote: What a match👌 @srikidambi you are an absolute fighter.. congratulations 👏