Korea Masters: Kidambi Srikanth and Sameer Verma move into the 2nd round

It was a good start for the Indian shuttlers as Kidambi Srikanth and Sameer Verma moved into the 2nd round of the Super 300 event played at the Gwangju Women’s University Stadium, South Korea on Wednesday. 

After a semi-final finish in the Hong Kong Open last week, Kidambi Srikanth began on a positive note, defeating Wong Wing Vincent of Hong Kong in two straight sets by 21-18, 21-17 to move into the 2nd round. 

Srikanth played with confidence and never gave a chance to his opponent to come back into the game. He will take on Kanta Tsuneyama of Japan next. 

Sameer Verma went into the 2nd round as his opponent, Kazumasa Sakai of Japan, retired hurt due to an injury. Sameer had a 11-8 lead at the interval. 

Sakai could not take part further in the match. Sameer Verma will take on Kim DongHun of South Korea in the 2nd round.

It was curtains for Sourabh Verma as he lost to DongHun in three sets by 21-13, 12-21, 13-21, to be knocked out in the first round. 

Apart from Kidambi Srikanth, Sameer Verma and Sourabh Verma, there is no participation from Indian team in any other categories. 

Kidambi Srikanth would be looking to continue his impressive form against the Japanese player. Sameer Verma has a chance to impress against the local favourite.

It promises to be an exciting for Kidambi Srikanth and Sameer Verma to move ahead for the quarterfinals. If both win their respective matches, they will face each other in the round of 8 on Friday. 

In other matches, Akane Yamaguchi moved into the 2nd round with a 21-19, 21-14 win over Kim Na Yeong of South Korea. She will take on Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland. 

In other matches, Akane Yamaguchi moved into the 2nd round with a 21-19, 21-14 win over Kim N-y of South Korea. She will take on Kirsty Glimour of Scotland.