Saina Nehwal and Srikanth Kidambi won the respecting Singles title at China Open 2014 to create an Indian record wherein first time Men’s and Women’s Singles title of Super Open series has been won by Indians. The record being created at China has a special silver lining as since its inception in 1991, China Open Singles Title has been won by foreigners only once each in Men’s and Women’s group.
In Men’s the exception was in 2002 when Malaysian Wong Choong Hann won, while in Women’s in 2007 Malaysian Wong Mew Choo was the only non-chinese women to win the Singles Title.
Srikanth Kidambi and Saina Nehwal become the Second Outsider to Win Chinese Open in their respective Singles. Since 1991, Chinese Open has seen Chinese players winning almost all the Men’s and Women’s Singles final. Such has been the Chinese dominance at home that even in Women’s Doubles only in 1991 another country (Korea) has won.
Srikanth Kidambi Creates History
Srikanth Kidambi won his first Super Open Series. The win was special for the world, not only for India. He defeated World Champion Lin Dan in straight sets 21-19, 21-17. Even in 2014 Lin Dan has lost only one match before this final in the 33 matches he had played. Kidambi has previously lost 2 matches to Lin Dan.
Kidambi becomes the second foreigner to win Men’s Singles at China Open. The match lasted 45 minutes.
Before this Srikanth has won Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold in 20133. He also won Maldives International Challenge 2012 in Men’s Singles. He finished runner up in India Open Grand Prix Gold event in 2014.
Saina Achieves a Dream Chinese Win
She has been the iconic Indian Women player. Her dream is to get better than Chinese. She has almost achieved that in her career. But crossing the Chinese Wall, inside the Chinese territory must be the biggest dream.
It was clear before the final that China Open 2014 will produce the second foreigner Women’s Singles winner since its inception in 1991. The other finalist was Japanese Akane Yamaguchi. She defeated the Japanese 21-12, 22-20 in 42 minutes.
Saina won her 14th international title, third in 2014 after Indian Open Grand Prix Gold and Australian Super Series.
Leave a Reply