Daijiworld Media Network – China

China, Sep 3: Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth staged a strong comeback to defeat world No. 9 Victor Lai of Canada in straight games and enter the men’s singles quarterfinals at the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Indian, who won a silver medal at the 2021 World Championships, registered a 21-18, 21-19 victory over Lai, who secured his second World Championships bronze medal in New Delhi last month.

Srikanth, who also reached the final of the US Open Super 300 earlier this year, will face Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu in the quarterfinals.

Srikanth had to overcome early deficits in both games. Lai led 7-3 in the opening game before the Indian fought back to level the score at 8-8. The Canadian regained the advantage and led 11-9 at the interval before extending the lead to 15-11.

Srikanth responded with a series of attacking shots, including a powerful jump smash, to draw level at 15-15. He then moved ahead 18-16 and created three game points before converting his second opportunity when Lai sent a shot into the net.

The second game followed a similar pattern, with Srikanth trailing 5-9 and later 9-14. The Indian again produced a determined fightback, using powerful smashes and sustained pressure to close the gap.

Srikanth eventually levelled the score at 18-18. A shot from Lai went long, giving the Indian match point, and another error from the Canadian handed Srikanth victory.

Lai, who won his maiden Super 1000 title in Indonesia earlier this year, was unable to withstand Srikanth’s attacking bursts and persistence.

India’s Tanvi Sharma, meanwhile, bowed out in the women’s singles second round after losing to world No. 9 Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan. The Taipei Open Super 300 champion went down 17-21, 21-18, 16-21 after a closely fought contest.

In mixed doubles, India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also exited the tournament following an 18-21, 18-21 defeat to Chinese Taipei’s Liu Kuang Heng and Hsu Yin Hui.