Wanted to beat Taufik once before he retired: Kashyap

New Delhi, April 24 (IANS) Indian shuttler Parupalli Kashyap’s desire to beat former Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat from Indonesia once again remained unfulfilled.

World No.7 Kashyap made a first round exit in the India Open Super Series going down to Hidayat 21-13, 21-23, 18-21 in the men’s singles at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here Wednesday.

Kashyap, however, will get another shot at the Indonesia Open Super Series Premier in June, that will be bring down the curtains on Hidayat’s illustrious international career.

“I just wanted to beat Taufik once before he retires. But it is okay. I played well and I am happy with my performance. At least I did not make any silly errors in the match. I tried avoiding playing at the net since he is so strong there but he kept bringing me back at the net and I had to take the shots,” said Kashyap, who now has lost all seven of his matches against the legendary Indonesian.

Kashyap said there was no pressure on him despite having lost all the six encounters prior to the India Open.

“There was no pressure. I have played him six times before this match and I have seen his videos. I played according to plan but it just wasn’t one of those days. I was clearing well, thought I would make him play at the back but that did not happen. I came close to beating him but now what can I say,” he said.

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