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Top seed China’s Chen Long prevented K. Srikanth from becoming synonymous with ‘Chinese-killer’ by edging past the Indian in three sets in the semi-final of the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open. Long beat Srikanth 21-17, 19-21, 21-6 in 64 minutes.
Chen Long usually suffers from a slow start and only gets to his best by 5th or 6th point of the first game. But learning from the mauling of multiple Chinese players in the recent past in the hands of Srikanth, he started attacking him from the world go. Srikanth started the scoring but Chen Long took 5 points in a row to make his intentions known.
At one point he was leading 10-3 and it seems he was going to demolish Srikanth. But Srikanth had a point to prove that his wins over so many seeded and unseeded players were no flukes. Srikanth slowly crawled back in to the game and narrowed the gap to 17-18. But he was totally consumed in the effort and allowed Chen Long to score next three points to seal the game in his favor without further drama.
The second game was much better for Srikanth. Long started where he had left in the first game, by starting with four straight points. But Srikanth showed he is not the one to crumble under pressure. He retaliated by firing 5 straight points to take a 5-4 lead and managed to maintain the lead till break. Back from the break he extended his lead to 17-13 and eventually see out the game 21-19.
The final game was much of an anti-climax. Long started strong once again, but Srikanth was unable to fight back this time around. Long started rotating Srikanth in all corners and left him outdone. From two points apiece, Long went ahead 17-4, leaving no one is doubt who will play in the final tomorrow.
