PV Sindhu, K Srikanth crowned national champions

Young shuttlers PV Sindhu and K Srikanth notched up contrasting victories in the summit clashes to clinch the women’s and men’s titles respectively at the 78th Senior National Badminton Championship in New Delhi on Monday.

It was the second national title for World Championship bronze medalist Sindhu after she registered a straight-game victory over Rituparna Das in the women’s singles summit clash which lasted for half an hour.

However, it was a maiden title for Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold winner Srikanth, who dug deep into his reserves to get the better off RMV Gurusai Dutt in a 40-minute men’s singles contest.

While second seed Sindhu, who is currently ranked 11th in the world, defeated Rituparna 21-11 21-17, Srikanth beat Guru 21-13 22-20 at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.

Defending mixed doubles champions Aparna Balan and Arun Vishnu retained their title, while Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa regained the women’s doubles crown for the first time since 2009.

In the men’s doubles competition, top seeds Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar clinched the title with a 21-19, 21-17 win over second seeds Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy B in a 39-minute contest….

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