Kidambi Srikanth, the former World No.1 in the men’s singles badminton, completed a comeback for the ages, as he stormed into the final of the Malaysia Masters 2025 on Saturday, May 24.
Srikanth, who currently ranks 65 in the world, secured a place in the final by beating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in a thrilling semifinal. Srikanth beat Tanaka 21-18 24-22 in the match which lasted 49 minutes.
The Sunday’s title match will be Srikanth’s first final appearance on the BWF World Tour in six years. The last time the 32-year-old featured in a final was in 2019 when he played the India Open final against Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen. Srikanth is also the first Indian shuttler to make it to a final in 2025.
The 2023 World Championships silver medallist has endured a rough patch over the past few seasons due to form and fitness.
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“Pretty happy” Srikanth said in a media statement after the semifinal win. He attributed his success in the tournament to his fitness. “Physically I have been feeling well, haven’t really planned anything. It is just about being physically fit, being injury free”, he added.
Srikanth’s run in the Malaysian Masters becomes all the more special considering the fact that he did not secure a direct qualification in the round of 32 stage and had to go through two qualifying rounds to enter the main draws. In the first qualifier Srikanth beat Kuo Kuan-lin of Chinese Taipei 21-8 21-13. He then defeated Kuan-lin’s compatriot Huang Yu Kai 9-21 21-12 21-6.
The Indian now awaits the winner of the second semifinal which will be played between Naroka Kodai of South Korea and Li Shi Feng of China.
Prakhar Sachdeo
The Sportz Planet Desk
