Kidambi Srikanth’s Swiss Open 2024 campaign ended in disappointment as the Indian badminton star succumbed to a hard-fought defeat in the men’s singles semi-finals. Facing world No. 22 Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei, Srikanth displayed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short in a thrilling three-game encounter.
The match began with Srikanth asserting his dominance, showcasing his trademark offensive smashes and deft net play to secure the opening game 21-15. However, Chun-Yi responded with a vengeance in the second game, swiftly turning a 4-1 deficit into a 6-5 lead. The Chinese Taipei shuttler then unleashed a devastating run of seven consecutive points, leaving Srikanth trailing 12-6. Despite a late surge, Srikanth could not recover, losing the game 9-21.
The decider proved to be a nail-biting affair, with both players trading blows. Chun-Yi seized an early 4-1 advantage, but Srikanth fought back to establish a narrow 11-10 lead at the interval. The game remained fiercely contested until the closing stages, when Chun-Yi broke away with three straight points to take a 19-16 lead. Srikanth’s unforced errors proved costly, allowing Chun-Yi to seal the victory 21-18.
Srikanth’s exit marked the end of India’s challenge at the Swiss Open. Priyanshu Rajawat and Kiran George bowed out in the quarterfinals, while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also failed to progress. PV Sindhu’s campaign ended in the second round of the women’s singles.
Despite the setback, Srikanth’s performance at the Swiss Open was a testament to his enduring quality. The former world number one remains a formidable force on the international circuit and will be determined to bounce back stronger in future tournaments.
