Former World Number 1 Badminton Player Kidambi Srikanth displayed an amazing performance in the Denmark Open after he outclassed his opponent Toby Penty in straight games in the opening round of Denmark Open which marked the resumption of international badminton after seven months. Srikanth who has claimed four super series titles in 2017 defeated Toby by 21-12 21-18 in 37 minutes.
Glad to open with a convincing win. Feels great to be back here competing with the best! #DenmarkOpen2020 pic.twitter.com/r74Uasc2ge
— Kidambi Srikanth (@srikidambi) October 14, 2020
Denmark Open is the only major Badminton Tournament that will take place this year as rest of the events have been cancelled and postponed to next year due to COVID-19. The fifth seed will face either fellow Indian Subhankar Dey or Canada’s Jason Anthony Ho-Shue in the next round.
So Far it has been great for Indian men shuttlers as Lakshya Sen also entered in the second round of Denmark Open after clinching victory in straight games against Popov by 21-9 21-15 to reach the second round. Srikanth who currently trains at Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad He became the best men’s singles badminton player in the world in April 2018. He was also conferred with India’s fourth highest civilian honour in 2018 and Arjuna Award in 2015.
Taking about his other achievements he won silver medal in Commonwealth Youth games in doubles category and bronze medal in doubles category in the same tournament. He also won the singles title after beating world number eight and local favorite Boonsak Ponsana in straight sets. His best came in 2015 after he became first Indian male to win gold at the Swiss Open Grand Prix after defeating Viktor Axelsen 21-15,12-21,21-14 in the final. In the same year, he outclassed Viktor Axelsen by winning Indian Open Super Series title.
Kidambi and Sai Praneeth created history when they became the first-ever Indian pair to enter the finals of a ranking event in Badminton. Both hailing from Hyderabad and being coached by Pullela Gopichand, it was Sai Praneeth who prevailed 17–21, 21–17, 21–12 eventually to clinch the Singapore Super Series title. He represented the country in South Asian Games in Nepal and won the gold medal in the team event.
