Denmark Open: Kashyap's semi-final defeat ends India's campaign

Indian campaign in the Denmark Open Super Series Premier badminton tournament ended with Parupalli Kashyap suffering a straight-game defeat at the hands of second seed Chen Long of China in the men's singles semi-finals in Odense (Denmark).

Kashyap, who had stunned third seed Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark in the quarterfinals, lost 16-21, 15-21 in a 45-minute contest at the Odense Sports Park.

Kashyap was playing the catch-up game for most part of the match after beginning the contest on an even keel.

From 4-4, Chen Long surged ahead to 11-5 and to 12-6 before taking the first game without much difficulty. 

The Indian came back strongly in the second game which was a neck-and-neck affair initially before his Chinese opponent earned eight straight points to take the match away from Kashyap.

With Kashyap's ouster, India's campaign in the tournament ended. K Srikanth lost to seventh seed Wan Ho Son of Korea in the quarterfinals in men's singles while Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu also suffered defeats in the women's singles quarterfinals on Friday.

In women's doubles, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa had crashed out in the opening round.

Image: Parupalli Kashyap