Dubai World Superseries Finals 2017, Group Stage: Srikanth Kidambi vs Viktor Axelsen, Live Badminton Score and Updates

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India starts its challenge at the 2017 Dubai World Superseries Finals with mixed fortunes. While Sindhu won a thrilling three-game match, Srikanth could not cross the Axelsen hurdle even though he was very close in the second game.

Srikanth did show flashes of brilliance but Axelsen was too good after that initial deficit. The Indian will surely aim to get wins in his next two matches which are against Shi Yuqi and Chou Tien Chen.

Final score: Axelsen def Srikanth, 21-13, 21-17 in 37 minutes

And he needs just one point to convert and win the match!

This time the Dane finds open court.

Match points for Axelsen at 20-17

He makes it 17-19

Now it lands bang on the line!

Sri trails 16-19

Lack of accuracy from the Indian. Shot goes long.

Sri now 15-19

But Axelsen makes an error here.

Axelsen 17-15

Super return from Viktor to go up to 17-14

Sri now 14-16

He compensates for it with a fabulous rush to the net.

Trails 13-16

Srikanth misses an angular shot.

Great variation from both but the Dane comes up with a down the line winner.

Viktor up 15-12

What a trick return to the Dane's serve!

Sri trails 12-13

This is getting far more exciting!

Just one-point lead for the Dane at 12-11

And yet another point from the Indian!

Sri trails 10-11

And he makes it 3 points in a row.

Sri 9-11

Sri gets 2 quick points on resumption

Axelsen goes up to 11-6 at the midgame interval.

Another down the line winner from the Dane

9-6

Superb movement and defence from both.

Viktor gets the point.

8-6

The Dane is missing the lines now.

Sri back to 6-7

Sri is screaming now to pump himself up.

5-7

Srikanth got a couple of points back but could not stop the Dane from wresting back the momentum.

It's 7-4 to the World No. 1

It's 5-2 to the defending champion

It's 4-0 to the world champion

SECOND GAME

Axelsen opens up a 3-0 lead

Axelsen takes the opener, 21-13

Axelsen is now toying with Srikanth.

Game points at 20-13

Finally Sri gets a point as Viktor goes wide.

Trails 13-18

17-12 to the Dane

Great movement by both. But Sri is blocked by the net.

12-16

Fault from Srikanth as he touched the net.

Viktor up 15-12

Great reflex from Sri but he misses the corner.

Viktor up 14-12

Smash from Sri.

Trails 12-13

Absolute explosive game by both

Big down the line winners from the baseline by Axelsen.

He goes up to 13-11

And we are all level here.

11-11

It's 11-9 to Srikanth at the interval.

Great retrieval from Srikanth but he makes an error.

10-9

Sri still has the edge.

10-8

It's all attack at the moment.

None of the rallies lasting longer than 3-4 points.

Big smash from the Dane to trail 7-9

Axelsen finally gets a point.

5-9

Body smash from Srikanth.

Pure domination!

9-4

And he makes it 7 points in a row.

Sri up 8-4

6 points on the trot from the Indian

And 7-4