Malaysia Open 2024: Kidambi Srikanth stuns Jonatan Christie, Ashwini Ponnappa-Tanisha Crasto advances to last 16

Day 2 will see HS Prannoy and Satwik-Chirag in action.

India’s Kidambi Srikanth pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat world number 5 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in the first round of the Malaysia Open 2024 Super 1000 badminton tournament on Tuesday. The former world number 1, who had been struggling with his form and fitness for a long time, showed great resilience and aggression to overcome the sixth seed 12-21, 21-18, 21-16 in a thrilling match that lasted 65 minutes.

Srikanth, who had won a silver medal at the 2021 world championships, had a poor start as he trailed 4-7 and then 8-16 in the opening game. Christie used his speed and power to dominate the rallies and take the first game comfortably.

However, Srikanth bounced back in the second game, opening up a 4-0 lead. Christie fought back to lead 11-7 at the interval and then 17-14, but Srikanth did not give up and won seven of the next eight points to level the match.

The decider was a close contest as both players exchanged leads and points. Christie looked in control as he led 14-9, but Srikanth unleashed a series of attacking shots and forced errors from his opponent to turn the match around. Srikanth held his nerve and sealed the match with a smash.

Srikanth, who is currently ranked 24th in the world, will face Hong Kong’s NG Ka Long Angus, who is ranked 20th, in the second round.

In the women’s doubles, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto continued their impressive run as they defeated USA’s Francesca Corbett and Allison Lee 21-13, 21-16. The Indian pair will face the Japanese duo of Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara in the next round.

However, it was a disappointing day for the other Indian shuttlers as they bowed out in the first round. Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda lost to Japan’s Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara 12-21, 11-21 in the women’s doubles, while M.R. Arjun and Dhruv Kapila went down to Taiwan’s Fang Chih Lee and Fang Jen Lee 16-21, 19-21 in the men’s doubles.

Aakarshi Kashyap also exited the tournament after losing to China’s Zhang Yi Man 15-21, 15-21 in the women’s singles.

India will hope for better results on Wednesday as HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be in action in their respective categories.

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