Korea Open: Sindhu, Srikanth go down in semi-finals

P V Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth's impressive run at the Korea Open Super 500 badminton tournament ended in the semi-finals, in Suncheon, South Korea, on Saturday. Former World champion Sindhu, who came into the tournament after winning the Swiss Open, suffered her fourth successive defeat to 20-year-old An Seyoung, losing 14-21 17-21 in 48 minutes.

World Championships silver medallist Srikanth’s campaign was cut short by Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie, who won 19-21, 16-21 in 50 minutes.

Third seeded Sindhu tried everything at her disposal but couldn't find a way to get past the world No. 4 Korean and went down 14-21, 17-21 in 48 minutes.

The 20-year-old An Seyoung gave ample display of her athleticism with diving returns to keep the rallies alive and did not falter in her precision, leaving Sindhu to do the catch-up job from the start.

The second seeded Korean rode on her superb retrieving skills to gallop to a 6-1 lead early on. Then she dived twice in quick succession on both flanks to blunt Sindhu's attack and sealed it with a delightful drop.

Two powerful returns took Sindhu to 4-7 but An Seyoung came up with two precise returns, a body blow and then produced another over-the-head return to gain a healthy 11-6 lead at the break.

Sindhu tried to step up the pace but An Seyoung displayed a wide array of shots to always stay a step ahead. The Indian got a few points with her smashes but couldn't put pressure on the Korean.

An Seyoung disposed of two weak lifts from Sindhu and then grabbed eight game points, two of which were saved by the Indian, before the Korean unleashed a lightening straight smash to seal it comfortably.

Sindhu was off to a good 3-0 start after the change of ends but An Seyoung soon surged ahead to 5-3. 

The Indian grabbed two quick points before the match became a tight battle with Sindhu's precise forecourt return being matched by the booming smashes from the Korean.

A long shot was followed by a net winner from Sindhu to keep the scores tied at 9-9 but the Korean was relentless in her retrievals and soon moved to a two-point advantage when Sindhu hit one to the net.

Sindhu kept breathing down the Korean’s neck who hit into the net at 12-14.

A service error from An Seyoung kept it 14-16 before the Korean produced a cross-court return.

With Sindhu miscuing a couple of shots, it was an 18-14 advantage for the local hope.

Sindhu reeled off three points on the trot to keep the match alive but An Seyoung sent one away from the backhand of the Indian, who went to net the next and gift three match-points to the Korean.

An Seyoung unleashed another smash to seal victory.

In the men's singles semi-finals, Srikanth and Christie entered the contest after winning four matches each in their eight career meetings, the Indian losing in the semi-finals at Swiss Open last month.

On Saturday, the Indonesian was more alert and showed better control in the rallies to outwit the Indian.

Srikanth kept things tight in the opening game, managing a 9-7 lead before ensuring a three-point lead at the break.

Christie tried to add more pace in the rallies and drew level at 13-13 after Srikanth went to the net.

The duo moved to 17-17 before a power-packed smash and a perfect return on his opponent's forehand gave the Indonesian two game points. The Indian saved one before parring one wide to concede the opening game.

Christie made a bright start in the second game, racing to a 3-0 lead and maintained it at the break, as Srikanth lacked consistency with his finishing.

The Indonesian then committed unforced errors and Srikanth reduced the deficit to 11-12 before grabbing a slender 14-13 lead.

But Christie responded well, grabbing six points to lead 19-14. He held five match-points before Srikanth saved one.

Christie then produced another quick return on serve to make his second successive final of a BWF World Tour event.