Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand was elated after Indian shuttlers won China Open
Kidambi Srikanth with his trophy stands next to Lin Dan of China on podium after the men's singles final in China Open Badminton in Fuzhou in southeast China's Fujian province. (Photo: AP)
Hyderabad: Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand was understandably elated on Sunday. Saina Nehwal and K. Srikanth won the women’s and men’s singles titles at the China Open Superseries Premier in Fuzhou on Sunday. Srikanth’s historic triumph came through a stunning straight-game 21-19, 21-17 victory against the legendary Lin Dan. This was the first time in Indian badminton history that a male shuttler won a Superseries title.
Saina had to work harder for her straight-game victory against Akane Yamaguchi of Japan. Saina won 21-12, 22-20 for her ninth Superseries title. This is also her third of the year, after the Indian Open Grand Prix Gold and the Australian Open Superseries. “It is a phenomenal day,” Gopi said on Sunday. “Two Indian shuttlers winning Superseries title at the same event is unprecedented,” he added.
“Srikanth’s victory, especially, is special. Lin Dan is like the God of Badminton, and to defeat him in China was splendid. We have never had a victory like this in men’s singles. It’s a very proud day for India,” Gopi said. “He played extremely well. He executed his game plan perfectly. The way he pulled off the victory is amazing,” Gopi said.
Saina was all praise for her compatriot. “It is a historic day for Indian badminton. I’m very happy for Srikanth, this is an amazing victory for him.”
On her own triumph, the World No.5 said: “I have been working hard for the last few months and I’m extremely happy that my efforts have borne fruit in the form of my third title of the year.”
Gopi, who would be joining the Indian team in Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Open Superseries, was constantly in touch with the shuttlers throughout. “It’s important to stay positive. All I told him was to focus on his game, and be brave enough to take chances. If he does that, everything will fall into place and that is how it worked out.”
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