“We’re two different eras, hence two varied styles. Yes, he likes to be aggressive and quick like me and we both like dominating the net, so those are the similarities. But he has far more variations when lifting shuttle from below the knees,” Gopichand says.
“The set of smashes to Viktor’s forehand, the two backhand tosses even as his opponent was trying to rush to net to keep him back and the net deception was very good,” the coach adds. Where Srikanth faltered was in Set 2 in defense, but he would stand his ground and come back from conceding 6 straight points to go from 4-1 to 4-7 in the decider and out-play the defending champ Dane at the net. “Srikanth has these net taps that are unlike most players. He manages to stop opponents from lifting, they’re an awkward length,” he says. What makes him different is how his smashes push back his opponents, pinning them behind the midcourt.
“The cross smashes landing is quite something. The kind of depth he gets on them,” Gopichand says. The variety is down to Srikanth’s early days playing doubles, and he happily dips into those strokes that catch singles opponents off-guard. The soft pushes and drives at the net take getting used to. Then there’s the big jumping smash which he actually uses as a set-up for his wristy touch play. Smooth in moving to the net immediately after the big booming projectile, Srikanth can anticipate returns and begin his wand-work at the net in one unruffled motion.
His backhand is a mine of immense possibilities and angles, and his finishing stroke is something Indians can be proud of, flaunting it as world-class. “In recent tournaments, he’s gotten more consistent as well. In close matches even if he’s down, he can change his game at will and stage comebacks from the verge of losing,” observes coach Vimal Kumar. “He’s pulling out matches that you’d think he won’t win. Right now, Jan Jorgensen and Srikanth are at the same level, with only Chen Long a shade better than both,” Vimal adds.
India could be looking at its first No. 1 material here. “He can of course get stronger and develop technically. And with Rio qualification, the big rush for points will start this year. But the best thing right now is that he’s No. 4 at 22. Unlike me, he has lots of time to make mistakes and recover,” Gopichand concludes.
http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/badminton/kidambi-srikanth-future-is-here/2/
“The set of smashes to Viktor’s forehand, the two backhand tosses even as his opponent was trying to rush to net to keep him back and the net deception was very good,” the coach adds. Where Srikanth faltered was in Set 2 in defense, but he would stand his ground and come back from conceding 6 straight points to go from 4-1 to 4-7 in the decider and out-play the defending champ Dane at the net. “Srikanth has these net taps that are unlike most players. He manages to stop opponents from lifting, they’re an awkward length,” he says. What makes him different is how his smashes push back his opponents, pinning them behind the midcourt.
“The cross smashes landing is quite something. The kind of depth he gets on them,” Gopichand says. The variety is down to Srikanth’s early days playing doubles, and he happily dips into those strokes that catch singles opponents off-guard. The soft pushes and drives at the net take getting used to. Then there’s the big jumping smash which he actually uses as a set-up for his wristy touch play. Smooth in moving to the net immediately after the big booming projectile, Srikanth can anticipate returns and begin his wand-work at the net in one unruffled motion.
His backhand is a mine of immense possibilities and angles, and his finishing stroke is something Indians can be proud of, flaunting it as world-class. “In recent tournaments, he’s gotten more consistent as well. In close matches even if he’s down, he can change his game at will and stage comebacks from the verge of losing,” observes coach Vimal Kumar. “He’s pulling out matches that you’d think he won’t win. Right now, Jan Jorgensen and Srikanth are at the same level, with only Chen Long a shade better than both,” Vimal adds.
India could be looking at its first No. 1 material here. “He can of course get stronger and develop technically. And with Rio qualification, the big rush for points will start this year. But the best thing right now is that he’s No. 4 at 22. Unlike me, he has lots of time to make mistakes and recover,” Gopichand concludes.
http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/badminton/kidambi-srikanth-future-is-here/2/
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