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Kumamoto Masters: Kidambi Srikanth exits in quarters

Kidambi Srikanth lost 22-24, 15-21 to Koki Watanabe at the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500.

By , Editor

· 2 min read

Badminton, general photo
Badminton (general photo, not from this event) Photo: Irish83 / Pixabay, Pixabay Content License

Kidambi Srikanth bowed out of the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 in the quarter-finals after losing to Koki Watanabe. The Indian had earlier stunned Kodai Naraoka.

Key takeaways

  • Kidambi Srikanth lost 22-24, 15-21 to Koki Watanabe.
  • Srikanth led 12-5 in the second game before errors derailed him.
  • Watanabe won 16 of the last 19 points to seal victory.
  • Srikanth had beaten Kodai Naraoka in the previous round.
  • The Kumamoto Masters is a BWF World Tour Super 500 event.

Kidambi Srikanth’s run at the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 ended in the quarter-finals on Friday. The Indian shuttler lost 22-24, 15-21 to Japan’s Koki Watanabe at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium in Kumamoto, Japan.

Match details

World No. 31 Srikanth looked in control for much of the match but suffered a meltdown in the second game against world No. 15 Watanabe. After a closely-fought opening game that Watanabe won 24-22, Srikanth led 12-5 in the second game before errors derailed his progress. Watanabe won 16 of the last 19 points to seal victory and book his place in the semifinals.

Recent form

The 33-year-old from Guntur had stunned world No. 8 and two-time world championships silver medallist Kodai Naraoka of Japan on Thursday. Srikanth, a 2021 World Championships silver medallist and former world No.

1, had defeated Paris Olympic bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia on his way to the US Open final earlier this season. He also stunned world No. 9 Victor Lai of Canada to reach the China Masters Super 750 quarter-finals in September.

Head-to-head and context

Srikanth had beaten Watanabe twice in the past, but their previous encounters had been closely fought. Friday’s meeting was no different, with both players engaging in a fierce battle from the outset before Watanabe took a two-point lead into the interval of the first game.

Watanabe extended his advantage to 17-14 before Srikanth fought back to level the scores at 18-18. The Japanese then found the net twice, while a fine drop shot from the Indian brought the scores level again at 17-17.

A defensive backhand block that went wide handed Watanabe a game point, but he sent his next shot into the net, allowing Srikanth to save it.

Watanabe earned another game point with a smash, only to find his next shot into the net as the scores moved to 21-21. Srikanth then earned a game point with a push towards the forehand corner but squandered the opportunity.

Another shot from Srikanth sailed wide, giving Watanabe his third game point, which he converted with a jump smash.

Tournament background

The Kumamoto Masters Japan is an annual badminton tournament held at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium. BWF categorised the Japan Masters as one of the nine BWF World Tour Super 500 events.

On 18 April 2022, the city of Kumamoto was confirmed to be the host of this tournament for the 2023–2026 BWF World Tour cycle. The 2026 edition is taking place from 10 to 15 November 2026 and has a total prize of US$500,000.

What happens next

Koki Watanabe advances to the semifinals of the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500. Srikanth’s campaign ends at the quarter-final stage.

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