K Srikanth defeated Vixtor Axlesen in a grueling three setter 21-15,12-21, 21-14 in the finals of Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold event in Basel. It was an excellent display by the young and talented Indian shuttler who played some excellent badminton in the match.
In the first set Axselen got off to good start taking a 3-1 lead but Srikanth came back in the match to level it 9-9. Then after Srikanth got two points in a row to make it 11-9. At the interval it was 11-9 in favor of Srikanth. After coming back from the interval Srikanth played some aggressive badminton and did not allow Victor to come back in the match. Srikanth played some great smashes and net shots. He raced to a 20-14 lead and then won the game 21-15.
The second game saw Victor playing an aggressive game. Both were tied at 3-3 before Victor took 8 points in a row. At the interval Victor took a 11-3 lead. After the interval Srikanth played some good badminton reducing the lead to 11-18 but Victor took 3 points to make 21-12. In the deciding game Srikanth began off to good start taking 4-1 lead before Victor took a 7-4 lead. Srikanth came back to level the things at 10-10. At the interval Srikanth took a slender lead of 11-10. After the interval Srikanth played some brilliant badminton and was at his best. Srikanth from 11-10 went 16-11. Srikanth never looked back from that and won the game 21-14.
It is first Indian male badminton player to win the Swiss Open Title after Saina Nehwal won it twice. This performance will give him a lot of confidence in the coming tournaments.