Last Updated:
Kidambi Srikanth had to dig deep in both games, particularly after falling behind early.
Kidambi Srikanth will be next next to Lee Cheuk Yiu. (PTI Photo)
Kidambi Srikanth produced a stirring comeback to knock out world No. 9 Victor Lai of Canada in straight games and book his place in the men’s singles quarterfinals at the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament on Thursday.
The 33-year-old Indian, a former world No. 1 and 2021 World Championships silver-medallist, prevailed 21-18, 21-19 over Lai, who claimed his second World Championships bronze in New Delhi last month.
Srikanthwho also reached the US Open Super 300 final earlier this year, will next meet Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu.
Srikanth had to dig deep in both games, particularly after falling behind early. The opening game began evenly at 3-3 before Lai opened up a 7-3 lead. Srikanth gradually worked his way back, drawing level at 8-8 as the Canadian began committing unforced errors.
Lai still held the advantage at the interval, leading 11-9, and stretched his cushion to 15-11 with a strong spell of attacking play. But Srikanth refused to let the game slip away.
A deep shot, followed by a thunderous jump smash and a clever net exchange, helped the Indian reel off points and level the score at 15-15. Srikanth then moved ahead 18-16 with another cross-court smash before creating three game points. He converted the second when Lai found the net.
The second game followed a similar pattern. Srikanth again found himself chasing after slipping to 5-9 following a run of errors. Lai remained in control at 14-9, but the Indian once again turned the momentum around.
Two powerful smashes, combined with a couple of errors from Lai at the net, brought Srikanth within a point at 13-14. An attacking cross-court return made it 14-15, and Srikanth continued to pressure the Canadian until he drew level at 18-18.
Lai then sent a shot long, allowing Srikanth to move to match point with a precise return into the forehand corner. The Canadian went wide on the next rally, prompting Srikanth to celebrate a hard-earned victory.
Lai, who won his maiden Super 1000 title in Indonesia this year, was unable to withstand Srikanth’s persistence and attacking bursts.
In the women’s singles, Tanvi Sharma‘s China Masters campaign ended in the second round despite a spirited effort against world No. 9 Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan.
The recent Taipei Open World Tour Super 300 champion battled hard but faltered late in the deciding game, going down 17-21, 21-18, 16-21.
India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also exited the tournament after losing 18-21, 18-21 to Chinese Taipei’s Liu Kuang Heng and Hsu Yin Hui in mixed doubles.
With PTI Inputs
About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
September 03, 2026, 11:29 IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
