Kidambi Srikanth breaks into top 10 of BWF rankings

New Delhi [India], June 29 : Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has been rewarded for his recent stellar performances as he broke into the Top 10 of the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings released on Thursday.

Srikanth's surged to eighth spot in rankings after lifting titles at the Australian Open Super Series and Indonesia Super Series Premier within a week's time.

The 24-year-old shuttler first defeated unseeded Kazumasa Sakai of Japan 21-11, 21-19 in the summit clash of the Indonesia Open that lasted for 36 minutes.

Following the win, Srikanth swept aside Rio Olympics 2016 champion Chen Long 22-20, 21-16 in the finals of the Australia Open Super Series to claim his fourth Super Series title.

This was Srikanth's first ever win over the Chinese in six meetings. The victory also saw him moving up to number one spot in Dubai Destination Rankings. He is now the only Indian player to make it to the top ten men's singles rankings in the world. Srikanth had previously made it to top ten in October 2016, a few months after reaching the quarter-finals of the Rio Olympics.

Meanwhile, Rio Olympic silver-medallist PV Sindhu and London Olympic bronze-medallist Saina Nehwal are standing at number fifth and 15th spot respectively in women's singles rankings.

Source: ANI