Srikanth beats Axelsen enters semis; Saina, Prannoy crash out

21 October, Odense

Indian star shuttler Kidambi Srikanth had to sweat hard to beat world champion Viktor Axelsen entering the semi-final of the Denmark Open Superseries here while Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy crashed out their respective events in the quarterfinals held on Friday.

The world no 8 Indian defeated the local favourite 14-21, 22-20, 21-7 wrapping up the game in 55 minutes. In another match, Saina lost 10-21, 13-21 to Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in just 29 minutes. Earlier, in the first match Saina thrashed Olympic champion Carolina Marin.

While, HS Prannoy was defeated by Son Wan Ho of Japan 13-21, 18-21 taking a time of just 44 minutes. World number two PV Sindhu crashed out of the tournament losing 21-17, 23-21 to Chinese Chen Yufei in the first round of the Superseries itself.