PM Modi lauds Srikanth for `wonderful` Australian Open win

New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Few hours after Kidambi Srikanth clinched his maiden Australian Open Super Series title, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the ace Indian shuttler for registering `yet another wonderful victory`.

Srikanth showed no signs of discomfort and was just ruthless with his aggressive play as he defeated his Chinese opponent Chen Long in straight games to win his fourth Super Series title.

"We are really proud of the victory of @srikidambi in the Australian Open. I congratulate him for yet another wonderful win," Prime Minister Modi wrote on Twitter.

Coming back of his maiden Indonesia Open title, the 24-year-old continued his rich vein of form in Sydney as well as he took just 46 minutes to fend off Long 22-20, 21-16 in the finals to clinch his fourth Super Series title.

This was Srikanth's first ever win over the Chinese in six meetings.

Srikanth had reached the final of the Singapore Open in April and Indonesia Open before this tournament and has thus become only the fifth player in the world to contest three consecutive Super Series finals.

With the win, he has now gone to number one in Dubai Destination Rankings.

Meanwhile, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has also announced a cash award of Rs. 5 lakh for Srikanth. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI