Top Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth was knocked out of the 18th Asian Games after suffering a shock defeat in the second round of the men's singles competition.
It was a disappointing end for India’s campaign in men’s singles as along with Srikanth, HS Prannoy also failed to raise the bar.
After his disappointing exit, Kidambi tweeted that he will come back stronger to bring pride to the nation, something according to him he was not able to pull off, further thanking people for the support:
We fall, so we can pick ourselves up again. Not happy with my performance but I promise to return stronger and bring pride to our nation once again. Thank you all for supporting me.
(For more latest news and updates from the 2018 Asian Games, click here.)
Srikanth lost 21-23 19-21 to Wong Wing Ki Vincent of Hong Kong in a 43-minute duel, much to the dismay of Indian fans.
Srikanth, a former world number one, who had clinched a silver at the Commonwealth Games besides leading the mixed team to the coveted gold, failed to outwit the 28th ranked Wong Wing Ki.
Srikanth came into the match with a 5-2 head-to-head record against Wong Wing Ki but it didn't matter in the end as the Hong Kong shuttler proved to be a better player.
He put up a tough defence and produced more precise strokes to outwit the Indian.
Currently ranked eighth in the world, Srikanth had lost 21-23 22-20 10-21 to Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in the men's team event.
(With inputs from PTI)
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