Kidambi Srikanth gives away 7 game points to lose in the semi-final of Hong Kong Open 2019

World No. 13 Kidambi Srikanth throws away seven game points and concede defeat against the host nation player Lee Cheuk Yiu in the semifinals of the Hong Kong Open.

Right from the beginning of the first game, Srikanth started trailing as the 23-year-old Yiu showed swiftness to take the lead. At interval, the scoreline read 3-11 in Yiu's favour. Though ranked 27, Yiu showed dominance. Post interval, Srikanth attempted to get back into the game but the lead went piling upto 7-15. Srikanth looked stranded and gave Yiu a 12-point advantage of 8-20 and eventually gave away the game with several tactical errors.

The Indian looked authoritative at the start of the second game as he showed composure to take the lead to 5-1. Yiu fought back with his swiftness to make it 6-6. The neck-to-neck fight ensued with the proceeding going into the interval with Srikanth having an 11-8 lead. With a 20-15 lead and five match points in hand, Srikanth gave away his match point with Yiu making it deuce. Rallies continued and Srikanth couldn't match the fiery performance of Yiu who won the second game.

Kidambi Srikanth had been extremely lucky in Super 500 tournament in Hong Kong. The unseeded Indian shuttler, who dropped places on BWF men's singles rankings, progressed to the 2nd round after reigning world champion Kento Momota withdrew from their 1st-round meeting.

Srikanth then went on to beat Sourabh Verma in an all-Indian 2nd-round match. Srikanth needed 59 minutes as he was made to work hard for his 21-11, 15-21, 21-19 victory by the lower-ranked shuttler. He had a comfortable march into the semi-final. after Olympic champion Chen Long retired in the quarter-final oon Friday.

Kidambi Srikanth comfortably clinched the 1st game against the Chinese great 21-13. Before the two shuttlers could start the second game, Chen Long gave a walkover at the Hong Kong Open.