The Champion Returns: Sidarth Saikumar Opens His Title Defence at Kreeda

Champions don’t arrive quietly.

They arrive with memory.

At Kreeda Open, Sidarth Saikumar (Signify) wasn’t chasing a title — he was defending one.

The reigning champion walked into the draw with a target on his back, and by the end of the day, he reminded everyone why that target exists.

After a composed early run, the real test came in the semifinals against top seed Harsha Kumar (LSEG) — a match that threatened to tilt the tournament away from him.

Semifinal: 

Sidarth Saikumar def Harsha Kumar — 11-21, 21-19, 21-7

One set down.

Momentum slipping.

And then the champion switched gears.

From there, the final was a coronation.

Facing Govardhan Shenoy (SAP) — one of the most consistent performers of the season — Sidarth produced a performance that left no room for debate.

Final:

Sidarth Saikumar def Govardhan Shenoy — 21-10, 21-0

No scramble.

No escape.

The crown stayed exactly where it belonged.