Ex-world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth exited in the semi-finals of the men’s singles competition at the Canada Open 2025 badminton event in Ontario on Saturday, marking the end of India’s journey at the BWF Super 300 tournament.
Kidambi Srikanth, ranked 49th in men’s singles badminton, took the first game but lost the advantage, ultimately falling 19-21, 21-14, 21-18 to Kenta Nishimoto of Japan, the world No. 12 and third seed, after one hour and 18 minutes.
Earlier this year, Srikanth also faced defeat in the Malaysia Masters final. Nishimoto came back in the second and third matches to advance to the final after a one-hour-and-18-minute contest.
ALSO READ: Akash Deep- The New Star of India’s Growing Pace Bowling Riches
Srikanth’s dream run ends in Semis
Srikanth, the silver medalist at the World Championships, had previously raced into the semifinals by overcoming World No. 6 and top-seeded Chou Tien Chen at the Markham Pan Am Centre. The ex-World No. 1 defeated Chou, the runner-up of the Indonesia Open Super 1000, in straight games to secure his second semifinal spot of 2025.
Srikanth had previously emerged victorious over fellow countryman Priyanshu Rajawat in a three-game battle in the opening round.
The 31-year-old had not lost a match since, demonstrating his restored form and capacity to sustain consistency during the tournament. He overcame Wang Po-Wei from Chinese Taipei 21-19, 21-14 in the second round to advance comfortably to the quarterfinals.
ALSO READ: Gukesh Outwits Carlsen in Zagreb Thriller, Takes Sole Lead
Title remains elusive for Kidambi
With the semi-final loss, Kidambi’s pursuit of his first title since the 2017 French Open continues. He ended the as a runner-up after losing in the final against China’s Li Shifeng in Bukit Jalil.
Srikanth’s path to the final in that tournament also made him only the second man in history to reach the championship match of a BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament after beginning in the qualifying rounds.
ALSO READ: Special! Big-Hearted Mohd Siraj Once Again Proves He Relishes Challenges
Before that, Srikanth reached a final of a BWF World Tour event during the India Open in 2019, which is a Super 500 tournament similar to the Malaysia Masters. The Indian badminton player was defeated by Viktor Axelsen from Denmark, a three-time Olympic medallist, on that occasion.
Srikanth’s most recent international title victory came at the 2017 French Open, which was part of the BWF Superseries Era.
