Thanks for tuning into Sportstar's LIVE coverage of the men's singles final of the BWF world championship between India's Kidambi Srikanth and Singapore's Loh Kean Yew. This was Nihit Sachdeva taking you through the action as it unfurled in Huelva, Spain.
That's it for today. Thank you so much for tuning in.
Here's the complete list of Indian medallists at BWF World Championships-
Also, a proud moment for 20-year-old Lakshya Sen who is the youngest Indian man to win a medal at world championship. Sen lost a thrilling three-game semifinal to Srikanth yesterday and will be awarded the bronze medal along with the other losing semifinalist, Anders Antonsen.
Srikanth fought hard for the gold but it wasn't to be. However, he is the first ever male Indian shuttler to win silver at world championship which is a historic achievement in itself.
Srikanth 15-21, 20-22 Loh - Perfect clear from Loh Kean Yew lands well inside the baseline. That's it. Loh Kean Yew beats Kidambi Srikanth 21-15, 22-20 to become the first male world champion from Singapore.
Srikanth 15-21, 20-20 Loh - Phenomenal determination from Srikanth to save two match points.
Srikanth 15-21, 18-20 Loh - Unbelievable defending from Loh as Srikanth kept sending one jump smash after another and ultimately hit one into the net. Two championship points for Loh.
Srikanth 15-21, 18-17 Loh - Srikanth tried to place the shuttle but it costs him and it goes only as far as the net.
Srikanth 15-21, 17-15 Loh - Srikanth thought he had the point with another cross-court net shot. Loh though had different ideas and he retrieved it but Srikanth was there to play another net shot to win the point.
Srikanth 15-21, 16-14 Loh - Rally of the match! Dogged defending all the way from Loh but eventually, Srikanth plays an inch-perfect cross-court net shot.
Srikanth 15-21, 13-14 Loh - A tired drive from Loh lands wide and Sri is withing one point of the Singaporean now.
Srikanth 15-21, 10-12 Loh - Sri breaks Loh's run of six consecutive points with a smash after Loh sends one just near the net.
Srikanth 15-21, 9-11 Loh - Two-point advantage for Loh Kean Yew going into the second mid-game interval as he plays a perfect cross-court smash.
Srikanth 15-21, 9-9 Loh - On par. Long rally and eventually, Sri doesn't manage to send the shuttle over the net.
Srikanth 15-21, 8-6 Loh - Smooth play from Srikanth as he waited for Loh to send one with a slightly short lift before sending a down the line smash.
Srikanth 15-21, 7-5 Loh - Another short lift from Loh. Another smash from Srikanth.
Srikanth 15-21, 5-4 Loh - Indecisiveness from Loh costs him this time. He played the lift very late and Srikanth had no problem smashing one into the floor.
Srikanth 15-21, 3-3 Loh - Solid defense by Loh forces Srikanth to go for one extra smash and he sends it wide.
Srikanth 15-21, 3-2 Loh - Better from Srikanth. Controlled the rally all the way and finished it with a delightfull drop shot.
Srikanth 15-21, 1-1 Loh - Easy cross-court smash from Loh fetches him one more point.
Srikanth 15-21 Loh - Unlike yesterday's semifinal against Antonsen, Loh hasn't squandered game point opportunities and has won the first game. First blood to the Singaporean!
Srikanth 15-20 Loh - Loh's net shots have been impeccable today. Five game points for the Singapore player.
Srikanth 14-18 Loh - Srikanth's thought was right but the execution wasn't. He went for the cross-court drive as Loh was near the net but Srikanth sent it wide.
Srikanth 13-16 Loh - Srikanth's lift lands into the side alley. Terrific comeback from Loh after the mid-game interval.
Srikanth 13-14 Loh - Loh's down the line smash from the baseline is pure poetry in motion. No chance for Sri whatsoever.
Srikanth 12-13 Loh - Srikanth controlled the rally. However, it is Loh who stuns everyone with a winning net shot.
Srikanth 11-11 Loh - Parity restored. Loh is slowly making his way into the match.
Srikanth 11-9 Loh - The lead has been cut down to two. Great retrieve from Loh forces Sri to play one extra shot for which he wasn't ready.
Srikanth 11-7 Loh - Brilliant down the line smash from Srikanth to enter the mid-game interval with a handy four-point lead. Still, early days in this historic final.
Srikanth 9-7 Loh - One net shot after the other from both and it is the Singaporean who wins the battle.
Srikanth 9-4 Loh - Finally, Loh wins a point with a decent net shot.
Srikanth 9-3 Loh - Make that six!
Srikanth 8-3 Loh - Five points on the trot for Sri. Fabulous start for the Indian.
Srikanth 5-3 Loh - Lovely drop shot from Srikanth. Loh gets late and only manages to send the shuttle into the net.
Srikanth 3-3 Loh - Short lift from Loh barely reaches the net and Sri is already there for the kill.
Srikanth 1-3 Loh - Quick drive from Loh and Srikanth barely manages to get his racquet on the shuttle.
Srikanth 0-1 Loh - A couple of net shots to begins the match and it is the unseeded Singaporean who wins the first point.
AND THE FINAL BEGINS!
7:25 pm - The warm-up is done.
7:20 pm - Kidambi Srikanth and Loh Kean Yew have entered the court. Remember, no Indian or Singaporean man has ever become world champion in singles. This is a huge match not just for these two shuttlers but also for the two nations they are representing.
7:05 pm - Medal ceremony for the men's doubles winners is being held at the moment. It is the first ever world championship gold for Japan in men's doubles.
Match Preview
Kidambi Srikanth etched his name in the history books by becoming the first Indian man to reach the finals of the BWF World Badminton Championships with a come-from-behind win over compatriot Lakshya Sen here on Saturday.
In a historic all-Indian men's singles semifinal, it was the 28-year-old Srikanth who had the last laugh as he saw off Sen 17-21, 21-14, 21-17 in a thrilling contest that lasted an hour and nine minutes.
Srikanth is set to face Singapore's Loh Kean Yew, another first-time finalist, in the title clash. Loh beat Denmark's Anders Antonsen 23-21, 21-14 in the second semifinal in 61 minutes.
Srikanth's last played in a final at the 2019 Indian Open while his last title came way back in 2017 when he won the French Open.
However, he will have to work hard to defeat an in-form Loh Kean Yew who has impressed everyone with his speed and overall gameplay on the court.
Loh recently won the Hylo Open and finished as runner-up at the Indonesia Masters. In the world championships, he caused a major upset by beating the reigning Olympic champion and world number one Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 14-21, 21-9, 21-6 in the round of 64 and hasn't dropped a game since then.
Where to watch?
Men's Singles final of the BWF World Championships between India's Kidambi Srikanth and Singapore's Loh Kean Yew will be live telecast on Star Sports Network and live streamed on Disney+ Hotstar tentatively from 7 pm onwards on Sunday, December 19.
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