BWF World Superseries Finals | PV Sindhu crosses opening hurdle, Kidambi Srikanth loses to Axelsen

12/14/2017

PV Sindhu has started her Dubai Super Series Finals campaign on a positive note after winning her first game against He Bingjiao 21-11, 16-21, 21-18. Meanwhile, in the men's singles event, Kidambi Srikanth suffered a straight loss to Denmark's World No.1 Viktor Axelson 21-13, 21-17.

Sindhu, who had a 4-5 head-to-head record against World No. 9 He Bingjiao, showcased a gritty performance against the left-handed Chinese and managed to end at the top by a margin of 21-11, 16-21, 21-18 in a Group A match that lasted an hour and four minutes. Sindhu showed good defence and engaged her rival in rallies by putting the shuttle in awkward positions and tried to close out the points.

However, in the men's singles, Srikanth went down 21-13, 21-17 against defending champion Axelsen. It was a comeback match for Srikanth, who sustained an injury earlier this month, which forced him to withdraw from China Open and Hong Kong Superseries. Srikanth, who had snapped a three-match losing streak against the Dane with a win at the quarterfinals of Denmark Open, dominated the proceedings early on and lead 8-4 at one stage, but lost the initiative as the attacking return by Axelsen meant the Indian couldn't help his fate a lot.

Sindhu faces Japan's Sayaka Sato next, while Srikanth will take on Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien Chen on Thursday.