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Kidambi Srikanth ranked fourth in the world lost to Tian Houwei of China in the first round of the Korea Open 21-12, 13-21, and 17-21 in a thrilling three game match. Srikanth started showing early signs of his superiority taking the first set 21-12 without even breaking a sweat.
During the second game as well Srikanth started off well but Tian raced away in the second game as he took the driver’s seat after an early let up and sealed the game, comfortably winning it 21- 13.
The third game was a close affair as both players battled for a win not letting up any easy points. Both players fought hard and it was neck and neck till 7-7, Srikanth took the lead for the first time in the third game with the score at 9-7, but Tian pulled away making it 12-9 and did not let up from there.
Srikanth tried his best to get back into the game clawing back at every instant he got a chance. He made a late surge towards the end of the game to come closer to Tian, but it never looked like he was in control of the game at all.
At 18-17 in Tian’s favour it looked like the World No. 4 will bring out his best and brush his opponent aside and win the match but it was not to be as Tian did not let Srikanth get another point and finished the match at 21- 17.
Srikanth lost to fellow countryman Parupalli Kashyap in the second round of the Yonex Japan Open last week and now has faced a defeat in the first round itself. He has not had the best year so far with dismal performances all through the season, at the World Championships he lost in the third round and prior to that he bowed out in the second round in both the Chinese Taipei and the Indonesian Open respectively, if this form of his continues he is sure to slip further down in the rankings as he has already slipped a place in the past week. His last commendable performance came at the Yonex Sunrise India Open which was way back in March.
Final scores: Tian Houwei bt Kidambi Srikanth: 12-21, 21-13, 21-17.
