Zulkarnain Shock for Kidambi – Day 3: Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2018
Malaysian qualifier Iskandar Zulkarnain threw the Men’s Singles draw wide open with a massive upset, knocking out Kidambi Srikanth in the second round of the Yonex-Sunrise Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta India Open 2018 today.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Kidambi was a strong contender for the title that he won in 2015, but Zulkarnain proved his match with a stout defensive performance that Kidambi struggled to breach. The Indian lost the match faltering at the death in both games, 21-19 21-17, and Zulkarain, who had contemplated retirement this year, revealed that the victory had given him a fresh dose of confidence.
“This is my biggest win,” said Zulkarnain (featured image). “Last year I suffered a back injury. I feel good because there is a lot of pressure from my fans in Malaysia, and I did my best today.
Zulkarnain said that a slipped disc that he suffered in January last year had affected his morale and his performance: “I had a slipped disc last January and needed six months’ rest. I started again in September. In 2015 I was ranked No.21, but because of the injury my ranking went down, so I was quite sad. I told my coach this year might be my last. I planned to go all out this year.