PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth win titles in Nationals Championship

New Delhi: With the tight calendar taking a toll on most of his compatriots, K. Srikanth’s decision to skip the Macau GP Gold and Tata Open International Challenge meet in Mumbai recently, paid dividends at the Siri Fort Stadium this week.

On Monday, Srikanth clinched the men’s singles title, overcoming his senior sparring partner R.M.V Guru Sai Dutt 21-13, 22-20 in an intense 40-minute battle. Earlier, tournament favourite P.V. Sindhu regained the women’s crown crushing her opponent, Rituparna Das 21-11, 21-17.

For Sindhu, who had an outstanding season with two Grand Prix Gold titles at Malaysia and Macau recently besides the world championships bronze, the win here will give her “confidence going into the next year”.

Jwala-Ashwini rule roost

Meanwhile, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa ended the season on a high after some indifferent performances. They cruised to a 21-17, 21-16 win over Pradnya Gadre and N. Sikki Reddy for their second title together and a winner’s cheque of Rs 84,000, but had to survive some anxious moments in the second game.

Up 20-12, Pradnya and Sikki saved four match points before netting the shuttle.

In the mixed doubles, second seed Aparna Balan and Vishnu Arun retained their title with a 21-10, 21-17 win over Tarun K. and Ashwini. Last year’s men’s doubles runners-up Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar dethroned Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy B. by a 21-19 21-17 score in their final.

Coming into the tournament fit and fresh, Srikanth continued his giant-killing spree on the final day as well. Guru tried everything to stop his junior partner — who was at his best in all areas — but to no avail.

If Srikanth’s jump smashes were awesome, he was far superior at net dribbles as well. After taking the first game, Srikanth had to overcome a stiff challenge from Guru, who displayed good defence. Guru engaged Srikanth at the net but it wasn’t enough.