K Srikanth lost to Indonesian player Tommy Sugiarto in the finals of the Indonesian Grand Prix Gold event just a few moments ago. It was an exceptional match between these two players, but Srikanth could not take chances that he could in the third set.
In the first game, both players took first two points to equal at 1-1. After that, Sugiarto took 2 points to take a 3-1 lead. Srikanth came back into the match equalizing the score at 4-4. Sugiarto and Srikanth was aggressive with their badminton. Whenever Sugiarto took the lead, Srikanth came back to level the score. Srikanth took a 9-8 lead for the first time in the game. At the interval, Srikanth led 11-8. After the interval, the first point of the game was a long rally as the point went in favor of Srikanth. Srikanth was always in control of the match. The 17th point for Srikanth was an excellent placement. Srikanth won the first set 21-16.
In the second game, both players again began taking alternate points to equal at 2-2. Sugiarto then took 6 successive points in a row to take a commanding 8-2 lead. Srikanth tried to come back into the game, but Sugiarto played some excellent badminton. At the interval, Sugiarto led 11-6. After the interval, Sugiarto took 2 more points to take a 13-6 lead. Srikanth made an excellent effort as the Indian player 5 successive points to reduce the gap to 11-13, but Sugiarto never allowed Srikanth to come back into the match. Srikanth made a lot of errors. Sugiarto won the second set 21-13.
In the deciding game, both players started taking alternate points to equal the score at 2-2. Both players fought for each point. Sugiarto maintained a 1 point lead but from 8-7 Sugiarto led 11-7 at the interval. After the interval, Sugiarto now managed to take a 2 point lead as Srikanth never gave the fight up. Sugiarto was leading 19-16 and 20-18 at one point. Srikanth took 2 more points to equal at 20-20. Both players had saved one match point each. Sugiarto saved one match point at 21-22. Sugairto saved it and then took the set 24-22.
It was an excellent fight from Srikanth, but Sugiarto held his nerves to win the title. Srikanth will rue that he missed a chance of winning the title.