French Open Badminton 2018 Live | Kidambi Srikanth vs Wong Wing Ki Vincent

That was good start to his title defence.

Srikanth is through to Round 2.

Do join us later in the day when we bring you live updates from Saina Nehwal's match.

Her match is expected to start around 5pm IST.

Final score: Srikanth def Vincent 21-19, 21-13 in 42 minutes.

Srikanth gets the job done on his second match point.

Vincent saves one!

Eight match points for Srikanth!

It's 19-12.

Two points away from the win!

But Srikanth hasn't been able to increase his lead streadily. Can he do it now?

After Vincent made it a five-point gap, Srikanth has seized control again.

Up 18-12

Srikanth stops his opponent's momentum and grabs a couple of swift points.

16-10

Still Vincent remains unfazed.

He keeps fighting back and adds three points.

Vincent trails 10-14

Up 14-7 now

Can he close this out?

Finally Srikanth is beginning to show some of his trademark aggressive shots.

Gets to 13-7 after the break.

It's 11-6 to Srikanth at the midgame interval.

The second game continues to move in a slow pace.

Both players keen to show their defensive skills.

Finally Srikanth gets hold of another point!

10-6

And Srikanth extends it to 9-6

8-5 is the lead for Srikanth

Vincent indeed did come back briefly as he took two points on the trot.

But now Srikanth is in control.

Up 7-4

6-2 for the Indian!

Can Vincent comeback?

Having staved off some stiff challenge from Vincent, Srikanth has now cruised to 5-2.

The pace of the match has slowed down considerably.

Yet, Srikanth inches ahead to 3-1

It's quickly on level terms!

1-1

Srikanth takes the opening point of Game 2.

1-0

After such a gritty battle, Srikanth converts his first game point and bags the opener 21-19.

And 19-19

What game!!!!

Vincent doesn't show any intention of backing off!

It's 18-18

This is now a test of Srikanth's stamina and hunger.

He wins a long rally and is 18-16 up.

And now Srikanth looks to be feeling more comfortable on the court.

Two quick points and he is up 17-15

Now it's Srikanth to fight back after Vincent had gone up.

It's 15-15 now

Yet again, Vincent draws level!

What tenacity!

It's 14-14

Vincent keeps fighting back and has not allowed Srikanth to build a big lead so far.

Srikanth 14-12

Srikanth went up only to see Vincent coming back once more.

Finally Srikanth has gone up to 13-11, building a two-point lead

And he is closing in further!

Just one point away now.

10-11

A resilient Vincent fights back and now trails 9-11

It's 11-7 to Srikanth at the midgame interval.

Vincent simply refuses to go away!

With 2 quick points, he cuts down the lead to two points, and trails 7-9

Four points in a row for Srikanth!

9-5 he leads

This time Srikanth is more careful.

He takes two quick points through attacking play and goes up to 7-5

Vincent's persistence has paid off!

He levels this at 5-5

And now Vincent is fighting back!

Trails by one point!

3-4

Vincent trying to engage in long rallies but so far the Indian has been successful in winning them.

Srikanth 4-2

Srikanth has been able to hold on to the lead so far.

Up 3-1

And the match is under way!

Srikanth opens up a 2-0 lead over Wong Wing Ki Vincent.

Good afternoon!

Kidambi Srikanth is about to begin his title defence.

Badminton Live Score French Open 2018 | Kidambi Srikanth vs Wong Wing Ki Vincent | Commentary & Results