Malaysia Masters: Kidambi Srikanth Battles Into Semi-Finals, Lone Indian Left In the Draw

Former World No. 1 kidambi srikanth produced a gutsy performance on friday to book his place in the semi-finals of the malaysia masters 2025 Badminton Tournament in Bukit Jalil. In a nail-biting men’s singles Quarter-Final Clash, Srikanth Edged Past France’s World No. 18 Toma Junior Popov 24-22, 17-21, 22-20 in a Marathon encounter that laden one hour and 14 minutes. Currently ranked 65th in the world, srikanth had to dig deep in the deciding game after trailing at the mid-game break. With his trademark resilience, the Indian shuttler clawed his way back to win his fourth match in Six Meetings Against Popov and Secure His First Semi-Final Appearance of the SEASON.

This marks srikanth’s best result on the bwf world two since his semi-full run at the swiss open super 300 in March 2024. The Indian started the Indian started the match strongly, Racing to a 7-4 Lead in the opening game. However, Popov Recovered Quickly and Even Held a Game Point at 21-20. Srikanth showed his composure to turn the tables and clinch the game 24-22.

The second game is good Srikanth Managed to Level The Score at 15-All But BUT BUT BUT BUT MAINTAIN The Tempo, Eventually Conceding The Game 17-21.

In the decider, srikanth once found hemp four points behind at the mid-game interval. But showing trendous grit and court awareness, he mouted an inspired comeback to outlast popov in a tense finish and move into the last four.

Srikanth Had Earlier Defeated Ireland’s World No. 33 nhat nguyen in the pre -Quarterfinals. He will now face japan’s world no. 22 Yushi Tanaka in the Semi-Final on Saturday. Tanaka Had Earlier Knocked Out India’s HS Prannoy in the Round of 16.

Meanwhile, India’s mixed doubles Hopes Ended in the Quarter-Finals. Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila Went Down Fighting 22-24, 13-21 to China’s Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin, Bronze Medallists at the 2023 World Championships.

With their exit, srikanth remains the only Indian player left in connection at the BWF Super 500 Tournament.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by ndtv staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)