Rio Olympics: K Srikanth vows to emerge stronger after heartbreaking loss

The 23-year-old shuttler rebounded strongly to clinch the second game before finally losing the decisive third game by 18-21

Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has vowed to comeback stronger after suffering a heartbreaking quarterfinal defeat against Chinese great Lin Dan in the men's singles event here at the Rio Olympics.

Despite enduring a nightmarish start in the opening game, the 23-year-old valiant shuttler rebounded strongly to clinch the second game before finally losing the decisive third game18-21 in a gruelling contest that lasted one hour and four minutes.

"There is a lot to learn from that match. Hope I will be back again much stronger," Srikanth told ANI here.

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Reflecting on his quarterfinal loss, the world number 11 admitted that his 'simple mistakes' had cost him the game despite having a good chance of defeating the Chinese two-time Olympic champion.

"My start was not good in the first game. I did too many mistakes in the beginning. Being aggressive in the second game worked out really well and I tried to continue it throughout the match but those simple mistakes cost me the game," Srikanth said. "I felt I had really good chance of beating him but unfortunately I couldn't capitalise on the lead I got in the third game."

He also extended his best wishes to compatriot PV Sindhu, who will play her women's singles semifinal later in the day with the hope of bringing second medal for the country.

"She has been playing really well throughout the tournament. I hope she continues the same form for the next two matches and win a medal for us," he said.