New Delhi: Kidambi Srikanth failed to make this week’s India Open Super Series another dream tournament for him as the 2015 champion crashed out in the opening round of the $300,000 event at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here on Wednesday.
Srikanth went down fighting to China’s seventh ranked Tian Houwei 13-21, 21-17, 11-21 in a men’s singles opening round match that lasted over an hour. This was Srikanth’s sixth loss to the All England finalist against his one win during the Badminton Asia Team Championships in February.
Srikanth’s loss came after defending champion and home favourite Saina Nehwal made a rousing start to her campaign early in the evening matches.
In an expected result, Saina thrashed her junior compatriot Tanvi Lad 21-7, 21-13 in 34 minutes. Meanwhile, P.V. Sindhu made short work of Italy’s Jeanine Cicognini in straight sets 21-8, 21-8.
