<p> Kidambi Srikanth is enjoying the best phase of his career. The 24-year-old on Sunday clinched the Australian Open, his second super series title in as many weeks, beating reigning Olympic Champion from China Chen Long 22-20, 20-16. <br /><br />It was Srikanth’s third consecutive Super Series final – he had reached the final of Singapore Open in April and won the Indonesia Open last week – to become the first Indian male shuttler and fifth in the world to accomplish the feat. <br /><br />It was also Srikanth’s first win over the Chinese in six meetings. Last week, he had broken the jinx of four successive defeats to World No 1 Korean Son Wan Ho in the Indonesia Open before beating him again in the Australian Open.<br /><br />His irrepressible form has pitched World No 11 Indian among the favourites for the World Championships in Glasgow from August 21-27. Srikanth, who suffered a stress fracture after Rio Games, however, wants to keep his focus on the present moment.<br /><br />Against Long, in a high pressure final on Sunday, Srikanth’s attack and execution was spot on.<br /><br />“These conditions are such you can’t really attack. It’s a bit slow, you have to be prepared for a long match. In all the breaks I had the advantage, (coach) Mulyo told me to keep it going, not to make simple mistakes and allow him back into the match. There was a long rally early in the second game and after I won that I got more confident. My attack worked really well,” said Srikanth.<br /><br />“I should thank my physio for keeping me fit for these two tournaments. It was tough for me on Tuesday and Wednesday.”<br /><br /></p>
<p> Kidambi Srikanth is enjoying the best phase of his career. The 24-year-old on Sunday clinched the Australian Open, his second super series title in as many weeks, beating reigning Olympic Champion from China Chen Long 22-20, 20-16. <br /><br />It was Srikanth’s third consecutive Super Series final – he had reached the final of Singapore Open in April and won the Indonesia Open last week – to become the first Indian male shuttler and fifth in the world to accomplish the feat. <br /><br />It was also Srikanth’s first win over the Chinese in six meetings. Last week, he had broken the jinx of four successive defeats to World No 1 Korean Son Wan Ho in the Indonesia Open before beating him again in the Australian Open.<br /><br />His irrepressible form has pitched World No 11 Indian among the favourites for the World Championships in Glasgow from August 21-27. Srikanth, who suffered a stress fracture after Rio Games, however, wants to keep his focus on the present moment.<br /><br />Against Long, in a high pressure final on Sunday, Srikanth’s attack and execution was spot on.<br /><br />“These conditions are such you can’t really attack. It’s a bit slow, you have to be prepared for a long match. In all the breaks I had the advantage, (coach) Mulyo told me to keep it going, not to make simple mistakes and allow him back into the match. There was a long rally early in the second game and after I won that I got more confident. My attack worked really well,” said Srikanth.<br /><br />“I should thank my physio for keeping me fit for these two tournaments. It was tough for me on Tuesday and Wednesday.”<br /><br /></p>
