Guntur Boy Srikanth Kidambi Wins Indonesia Open Title      

Jakarta: Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth clinched his third Super Series title, lifting the Indonesia Open men's singles trophy with a straight-game victory over Japanese qualifier Kazumasa Sakai in the finals here on Sunday.

World No.22 Srikanth, who is native of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, had reached the finals at Singapore Open in April by outclassing Sakai, who is ranked 47th, 21-11 21-19 in just 37 minutes to take home a cheque of USD 75,000.

"He was playing well, especially in the second game and I think for me coming back from 6-11 down and make it 13-13 was the turning point," said Srikanth, who had clinched the 2014 China Super Series Premier and 2015 India Super Series.

"My coach will have a special place in my heart as after he came, I reached the finals at Singapore and to win this tournament, which is considered the biggest tournament. I want to thank all the fans who have been rooting for me all this week," he added.

Srikanth played a patient game and didn't allow his opponent to engage in any fast-paced rally. He dictated the pace with his precise angled returns and unleashed his smashes at perfect intervals to down his rival.

Meanwhile, YSRCP chief and Leader of the Opposition in AP Assembly YS Jagan Mohan Reddy congratulated Kidambi for achieving the feat. He wished the young shuttler many more wins in the days to come.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cricketer Virendra Sehwag and several others congratulated the young shuttler on winning the title.

India cricketer Virender Sehwag also took to the social media platform to shower his praise on Srikanth. "Congratulations Kidambi Srikanth on becoming the first Indian to win the #IndonesiaOpen . Ek killa Fateh," he wrote.