Top seed Kidambi Srikanth made a rollicking start to the new season as he clinched the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold with a convincing win over China’s Huang Yuxiang in the men’s singles final. World No. 9 Srikanth, who had reached the summit clash in the last edition as well, prevailed over 73rd ranked Huang 21-13, 14-21, 21-14 to lay his hands on the crown and take home a cheque of $9000. It was his fifth title having won the 2013 Thailand Grand Prix Gold, 2014 China Super Series premier and Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold and India Super Series last year.

However, Indian men’s doubles pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar wasted two match points in the second game to go down 14-21, 24-22, 21-8 against Malaysian pair of V Shem Goh and Wee Kiong Tan in their first-ever Grand Prix Gold summit clash that lasted a little over an hour.

Among others in fray, Korean Sung Ji Hyun edged out Japan’s Sayaka Sato 12-21, 21-18, 21-18 to win the women’s singles title.

In the women’s doubles final, Korean second seeds Jung Kyung Eun and Shin Seung Chan thrashed third seeds Eefje Muskens and Selena Piek of The Netherlands 21-15, 21-13.

 Syed Modi 

• Syed Modi was an Indian badminton singles player.
• He was eight-time National Badminton champion (1980–87).
• His most notable achievement at the international badminton circuit came in the form of men’s singles title at the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
• He also won three other international titles, namely Austrian International (in 1983 & 1984) and USSR International (in 1985), both of which were European Badminton Circuit tournaments.