K Srikanth beat Victor Axslen in grueling three setters 18-21, 21-13 and 21-12 in the finals of the Indian Open Super Series men’s singles at the Siri Fort Complex at New Delhi just few moments ago. It was a brilliant show of power shots and placements by both of the players. The match was watched by a full capacity crowd and cheered Srikanth continuously.
In the first game Srikanth started off a positive start taking a 3-1 lead. After that Axslen equaled at 5-5 and went ahead to make it 9-7. Srikanth made a good comeback by equaling at 10-10 before Axslen took the lead before the interval. After the interval Axslen took 2 points to make it 13-10. Srikanth made 12-15 before Axslen took 2 points to make it 17-12. Srikanth was down 15-20 and took 3 successive points to make it 18-20 but Axslen took the first game 21-18.
In the second game Axelsen opened the account but Shrikant quickly equaled 3-3 with a down the line shot. Srikanth was at his best playing some great badminton of net placement and down the line shots and took 6 successive points to make 11-4 at the interval. Axslen from being 6-13 down fought back to show some resistance to reach 9-13. But Shrikant moved again to reach 18-12. At this core both of them played excellent rally of 48 shots and finally point went to Srikanth. Srikanth took next 3 points as against one by Axelsen and took the second set 21-13.
In the third and deciding game Srikanth and Axslen started at 1-1, 2-2 and 3-3 with a shot. Axslen took 3 successive points to make it 6-3. Srikanth made a tremendous fight back as Axslen took a slender lead of 11-10. At 8-9 Srikanth challenged and the decision that was upheld to make it 10-8 in his favor. An excellent rally took place again 10-12 and the point went to Srikanth again to make 11-12. Srikanth never looked back from then and continued to take points continuously till he was and made life difficult for Axslen. Axslen took a review at 11-13 for out but the decision was reversed as in. From thereon he was disappointed and dejected and nothing worked for him. He kept making errors that enabled Srikanth to win the game 21-12.
Srikanth had defeated Axslen in the Swiss Open Grand Prix 2015 finals. This is his second victory over Axelesen.