Paris: India's Kidambi Srikanth's dream season continued as he brushed aside the challenge of Japan's Kenta Nishimoto in straight games to win the French Open Super Series men's singles title, here on Sunday. Having already completed a hat-trick of Super Series titles, Srikanth won his fourth title of the season.

Srikanth, seeded eighth in the tournament, took just 34 minutes to get the better of his Japanese opponent 21-14, 21-13 in the summit clash. The win ensured Srikanth, who played his fifth Super Series final this season, bag his second consecutive title in two weeks after winning the Denmark Open in Odense last week.

Srikanth became only the fourth men's singles player to win four or more Super Series titles in a calendar year.

Going by Srikanth's current form, it was expected to be a one-sided summit clash and it turned out to be one, except for the first few points of the opening game which was a neck- and-neck fight between the two shuttlers.

It was Nishimoto, who started brightly to race to a 9-5 lead before Srikanth fought back to draw level at 9-9.

From then on, there was no looking back as the Indian used his court coverage and superior technique to take a 14-10 lead.

Nishimoto did manage to win some points to reduce the margin to 15-14 before Srikanth used his experience at the highest level to pocket six straight points and win the first game.

Srikanth continued his good form in the second game and won five straight points to take a commanding 10-2 lead.

Nishimoto tried his best to force a comeback and managed to reduce the margin to 8-13 but the Indian showed his class and superiority in crunch situations to keep his lead intact and win the game 21-13 and claim his second consecutive title in as many weeks.

With this win, Srikanth might well be on course for the elusive world No. 1 ranking, but did not want to lose sleep over it.

"I don't know (if I will be No. 1). Definitely, I will rise in the rankings but I am not sure where I will be."

Before the Denmark and French Open titles, Srikanth had won back-to-back titles in Indonesia and Australia in June. Srikanth said that world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark is still way ahead of him in terms of points.

"I think there is a lot of difference between me and Viktor (Axelsen)... I don't think I will be No. 1, I might improve a rank or two." PTI

Achievements

Super Series Premier
2014: China Open 
2017: Indonesia Open; Denmark Open 
Super Series 
2015: India Open
2017: Australian Open; French Open
Grand Prix Gold  
2013: Thailand Open 
2015: Swiss Open
2016: Syed Modi International
International Challenge
2012: Maldives International