K Srikanth wins Thailand Open Grand Prix

K Srikanth had previously reached the quarterfinals of the Asian Junior Championships.

K Srikanth became the latest badminton sensation to emerge from India as he lifted his maiden men8217;s singles trophy with a stunning straight-game triumph over top-seeded local favourite Boonsak Ponsana at the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold on Sunday.

The 20-year-old from Guntur,Andhra Pradesh beat world number eight Ponsana 21-16,21-12 in a 34-minute match to script the biggest win of his still nascent career.

8220;When I went into the court,I was pretty okay. I was not thinking anything. He was the local guy and the court was also with him. I knew I had a 50-50 chance even though he is world number eight,8221; the excited youngster said.

8220;I just wanted to give my 100 per cent. I was focusing on one point at a time and I knew it was all about who plays well on that particular day,8221; he said.

The 13th-seeded Indian matched his fancied rival in all departments of the game in what turned out to be a lop-sided contest.

8220;The win has not sunk in. I am still pretty excited. I spoke to my parents and they are also very happy. I will be travelling to Hyderabad tonight and probably fly back to Singapore next Friday or Saturday,8221; he said.

The first game went neck and neck before Srikanth broke free to notch up six consecutive points to win the game and wrest the initiative.

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8220;The first game was tough. I was leading by 2-3 points from the start but in the end he was like 15-16 but he made some unforced errors as I played some attacking badminton. It worked as I got four points on the trot and that made all the difference,8221; he said.

The second game was a completely one-sided affair with Srikanth scoring at ease. The Indian sent down nine smashes against his rival8217;s three to stamp his authority in the match.

Ponsana had a two-point lead to start with but Srikanth made amends quite quickly to reel off eight successive points and seal the game and the match in his favour.

8220;In the second game I played pretty well,I was leading 11-5 and continued in the same vein. I didn8217;t relax and stayed focused. I could see that although the crowd was supporting him,he looked tense and turned on the pressure on him,8221; he said.

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Srikanth had previously reached the quarterfinals of the Asian Junior Championships and entered the pre-quarterfinals of the World Junior Championships in 2011.

Indian male shuttlers have been making quite a mark internationally of late. P Kashyap had won the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold last year.