The Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth defeated World No. 3 Denmark's Anders Antonsen and booked his ticket to the semi-final of the Swiss Open 2022. He registered a 21-19, 19-21, 22-20 victory in a nail-biting quarter-final match.
Srikanth started the opening game well and was leading 9-1 until Antonsen bounced back hard. The World No. 3 fought hard and led 11-9 at a point of the match before the break. The world championship silver medallist Srikanth changed the match to his name post-break and won it 21-19.
Srikanth started the second game with an early lead of 9-6. The duo went to the break with Srikanth's 11-9 lead. Interestingly, both Srikanth and Anderson were tied 19-19 at one point. This was the moment from where Anderson turned the match to his name. He won consecutive two points and ended the match 21-19, both with one win.
The last and the decider match took turns at every point. The second seed Antonsen took an early lead with 4-1 but soon after Srikanth leveled it with 3 consecutive points. Antonsen won 6 consecutive points while being at 7-7 and made a huge leap of 13-7 but Srikanth did not give up for a bit. He fought harder and won another 6 points to tie at 13-13. With one leading another in various instances, Srikanth finally emerged victorious with 22-20.
After a long quarter-final of 1 hour and 19 minutes, the India shuttler made his way to the semi-finals where he will face off World No.8, Indonesia's Jonatan Christie.
Kidambi Srikanth Stuns Yushi Tanaka to Reach Malaysia Masters Final, First Since 2019
Srikanth will now face either Kodai Naraoka of Japan or China's Li Shi Feng in the final, as he aims to clinch his first title since the 2017 French Open.
Kidambi Srikanth turned back the clock in spectacular fashion, battling past Japan’s Yushi Tanaka 21-18, 23-21 in a heart-pounding semi-final at the Malaysia Masters on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Indian badminton star, once the world’s best, is now headed to his first BWF World Tour final since 2019—a moment that feels like a triumphant homecoming for fans who’ve cheered him through thick and thin.
Srikanth, who had slipped to world number 82 earlier this month, battled through the qualifiers to reach the main draw of the tournament. Srikanth's journey to the final has been nothing short of inspiring, as he outclassed higher-ranked opponents with a combination of determination and resilience.
The tightly contested match against Tanaka saw Srikanth hold his nerve in crunch moments, particularly in the second game, where he edged out a 23-21 victory after a very close finish.
This achievement marks a significant comeback for the Indian shuttler, who has faced challenges with form and rankings in recent years. His last BWF final appearance was at the 2019 India Open against Viktor Axelsen, and this achievement in Kuala Lumpur signals a potential return to his peak form.
Srikanth will now face either Kodai Naraoka of Japan or China's Li Shi Feng in the final, as he aims to clinch his first title since the 2017 French Open.
I'M CRYING 😭❤️
Srikanth Kidambi Into The Finals Of BWF Malaysia Masters 2025 !!!
Srikanth Kidambi Defeats Yushi Tanaka In Straight Games 🇮🇳 21-18 , 24-22 🇯🇵
India's experienced shuttler Kidambi Srikanth on Friday booked his berth in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Masters 2025 badminton tournament. Srikanth is now the only Indian in the tournament.
Against world number 65, Srikanth defeated France's 18th seed Toma Junior Popov 24-22, 17-21, 22-20 in a match that lasted one hour and 14 minutes. Former world number one Srikanth will have to overcome the challenge of Japan's Yushi Tanaka to make it to the Malaysia Masters 2025 final. Tanaka defeated Toma Junior's brother Christo Popov 21-18, 16-21, 21-6.
This will be the first semi-final in a year for World Championship and Asian Games silver medalist Srikanth.
Srikanth made inspiring comeback to seal the contest
The Indian badminton player made a brisk start, surging to a 7-4 lead in the opening game, only for Popov to claw his way back. It was the French shuttler who held a game point opportunity at 21-20, but Srikanth turned the tide to snatch the opener.
Srikanth trailed by four points at the break in the second game. He drew level at 15-15 but lost steam as the match went into the decider.
Srikanth was also four points behind his opponent in the third midgame break of the match, but this time, he mounted an inspiring comeback to seal the contest. It was his fourth win over Toma Junior Popov from six meetings.
In the other semi-final, fourth seed Kodai Naraoka of Japan and second seed Li Shi Feng of China will face each other. In mixed doubles, the journey of the pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto came to an end in the quarter-finals. Kapila and Crasto lost to top seeds Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin of China 22-24, 13-21 in 35 minutes.
Indian Badminton players struggle with the slow court: Here is why
Indian Badminton players even after dominating in the Asian countries fail repeatedly in countries like Europe and Olympic stages. What can be the underlying problem?
The contemporary Indian Badminton has so far gained the popularity in its country. However, certain issues need to be resolved. The biggest concern lies in the shuttlers facing a different environment in the non-Asian Countries. The major problem they face is the thick and slower court.
This issue had made India short of many assured medals by whiskers. Be it peak Kidambi Srikanth missing his World Title in 2017 to Reddy-Shetty failing in big tournaments.
How do Indian and Asian Courts differ from European Courts?
The Asian Summers
Speaking about the weather in the Asian summers, it is humid. The Asian stadia provide full on air-conditioned courts for athletes.
Air-conditioned rooms are marked favorable for shuttles, as the shuttles fly faster here. Here are the reasons:
Lower air density: Air conditioning reduces temperature and humidity, resulting in denser air with fewer air molecules. This decrease in air resistance allows shuttlecocks to travel faster.
Reduced air turbulence: Air conditioning systems circulate and filter the air, minimizing turbulence and air pockets that can slow down the shuttlecock.
Consistent airflow: Air conditioning maintains a consistent airflow, reducing unpredictable air currents that can affect shuttlecock trajectory.
Lower humidity: Dry air reduces the shuttlecock's drag coefficient, enabling it to fly faster.
This helps the athletes to maintain faster rallies and increased smashes with an attacking play. The also helps them to read the speed and work on their reaction time'
Added to this, the enhthralling supporters add more fuel to the pagddlers when tired.
European winters
European winters contradics the humid weather. Unlike the windy weather here, the air feels cal, slow and still.
Slow and still air significantly impacts shuttlers' performance, technique, and strategy. it included different physical challenges along with rectified techniques and strategies.
The challanges a shuttler faces due to these conditions are as follows:
Reduced shuttlecock speed: Slower reactions, less power.
Increased drag: Shuttles dip and drop unexpectedly.
Unpredictable trajectory: Difficulty judging distance and direction.
Fatigue: Players expend more energy to generate power.
However, these are the "negetives" bigger stages like Olympics, offer.
Slow court, A Bane to the Shuttlers
Here are some instances when paddles were denied their crown due to the courts' behaviour.
2017 Kidambi Srikanth, a fast court specialist in India missed his Worlds Title in the slow Glaswegian conditions. The slow pitch defied from the title as the Korean Son Wan-ho defeated him in the quarterfinal.
Tanvi Patri, a 13 year old rookie got defeated in Thailand's sluggish pitch last December. The thick air denied her speed, showing a red alert that she needs to gain some strength.
And the most discussed duo- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty. Right now, Reddy-Shetty is the finest doubles player in Indian Badminton periphery. Reddy still has his world fastest smash of 493km/hr. Even then, this duo cannot assert full power in slow court. And thus, they lost a few of the most serious and well-deserved titles.
Demands of Sluggish Pitches
Slow and still air significantly impacts shuttlers' performance, techniques, and strategies. Someone who was been trained on faster courts will find it difficult to adapt to the conditions if exposed.
The shuttles face certain physical changes that are listed below:
Reduced shuttlecock speed: Slower reactions, less power.
Increased drag: Shuttles dip and drop unexpectedly.
Unpredictable trajectory: Difficulty judging distance and direction.
Fatigue: Players expend more energy to generate power.
An athlete thus needs to make a few technical adjustments to combat the challenges.
Slower stroke speed: Compensate for reduced shuttlecock speed.
Increased wristwork: Generate power and control.
Softer touches: Reduce shuttlecock's descent.
More spin: Control shuttlecock trajectory.
The strategic changes include:
Patient play: Waiting for opportunities to attack.
Defensive focus: Exploiting opponents' struggles.
Net play: Using precise, soft shots.
Angle play: Creating sharp angles to disrupt opponents.
Effects on a few notable Shots:
Smashes: Less effective due to reduced power.
Clear shots: More difficult to execute.
Drops: Harder to control.
Slow Court? Not an Issue!
Not an old story when Lakshya Sen lost to Victor Axelsen in the Olympics semi-final. Slower Courts like that in Europe, especially in stages like Olympics demand patience and exquisite footwork, with strong defence. Lakshya had his defence in the checklist, but his footwork was still a sore in his throat. The Denmark giant was a set ahead when Lakshya fought but lost to nerves.
Lakshya Sen shaking hands with Victor Axelsen after being defeated in the Olympics Semifinal. (AP)
The bronze medal match had all these including his exposed injury in his smashing hand. The defence he has can aid in this condition but muscular opponents are still a challange to him.
The other veteran on court H.S. Pranoy is a clever lad with versatile techniques. He has got his techniques handy to combat the sluggishness. He thus not only won in Malaysia, but has a Worlds medal round his neck.
Two-time Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhuwith her blazing power heft and work rate till 2019, defies these challanging conditions. The Olympic bronze medalist Saina Nehwal with her sturdy power smash overshadowed her limitations in court coverage capabilities.
Indian Approach
India has a love for stroke-making. Even though it is aesthetically pleasing, it question the practicality in World Badminton.
With the October ticks in, the Europe session starts. The badminton camp then comes back and does a wide India-hoping, visiting smallcities playing number of tournaments! But how that that judge their efficiency in slow courts!
The slow courts host a major number of important international tournaments. With India not getting enough time their will never expire the frustration of them not getting medals.
Rookies like Priyanshu Rajawat will depend more on strokeplays like his ancestor Srikant used todo. Not failing the later, Rajawat will succumb to frustrating errors, missing points. Srikant had Son Wan-ho, but Rajawat will have way more equipped opponents- Kunlavut Vitidsarn and of Kodai Naraoka.
Its high time for Indian to spend more time on slow courts, count quality over quantity, in order to not miss any well deserved title in fututre,
Thomas Cup 2024: HS Prannoy makes winning start; Satwik-Chirag fcaes defeat
However, Indian doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have faced defeat against Indonesian duo Fikri-Maula as they went down in the decider game, despite putting up a good fight.
India's No. 1 shuttler HS Prannoy beat Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 13-21 21-12 21-12 to give India a 0-1 lead over Indonesia in the Thomas Cup 2024 in Chengdu, China on Wednesday.
Prannoy won the match despite losing the first game. He took the third 21-12, giving Ginting no chances to turn the tables on him. Prannoy's last meeting against Ginting was the Australian Open last year, where the Indian also won in three games.
Earlier, Prannoy returned to the winning path by defeating Harry Huang 21-15, 21-15 in a straight match despite losing to Kunlavut Vitidsarn in India's first tie against Thailand at the Thomas Cup 2024.
However, Indian doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have faced defeat against Indonesian duo Fikri-Maula as they went down in the decider game, despite putting up a good fight. The Indians lost the second match against their opponents despite a stunning comeback in the second game. Nearly pulled out another in the decider too but missed out narrowly.
Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen returns to take the second singles spot, which means Kidambi Srikanth slots back in for MS3. A change in the 2nd doubles sees Sai Pratheek replace MR Arjun to partner Dhruv Kapila.
India has already confirmed their spot in the Thomas Cup quarterfinals with two consecutive wins over Thailand and England respectively.
Thomas Cup: Indian men's team reaches quarterfinals after defeating England
Earlier, India had defeated Thailand 4-1 in the first match of the Thomas Cup 2024. India will face 14-time champion Indonesia in the last group match.
Defending champion India defeated England 5-0 in the Group C match and entered the quarter-finals of the Thomas Cup badminton tournament in Chengdu, China on Monday.
Earlier, India had defeated Thailand 4-1 in the first match of the Thomas Cup 2024. India will face 14-time champion Indonesia in the last group match.
HS Prannoy returned to the winning path and gave India the 1-0 lead by defeating Harry Huang 21-15, 21-15 in a straight match despite losing to Kunlavut Vitidsarn in India's first tie against Thailand.
Sat-Chi showed their class against Lane and Vendy
In the second match, The world No.1 doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty once again had to work hard, which was the toughest phase of the match against Bane Lane and Sean Vendy. But Satwik-Chirag won the match 21-17, 19-21, 21-15 and took India ahead 2-0.
Though Satwik-Chirag won an intense first game 21-17, world no. 19 Lane and Vendy maintained a two-point lead over the Indian duo throughout the second game and eventually claimed the game 19-21.
However, in the third game, Satwik-Chirag ramped up their game to earn a quick lead. Although both pairings were engaged in a neck-to-neck battle until the interval, the Indian combo broke away to a massive lead before sealing the match with a 21-15 win in the decider.
Then, in the absence of Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth performed brilliantly to ensure an equalizer for India in straight games. The former world number one gave India a 3-0 lead by defeating Nadem Dalvi 21-16, 21-11.
M R Arjun and Dhruv Kapila defeated Rory Eatson and Alex Green 21-17, 21-19 in the second doubles match to make the score 4-0.
In the last match, Kiran George defeated Cholan Kiyan 21-18, 21-12.
On the other hand, Indonesia also defeated Thailand in the other Thome Cup pre-quarterfinal match. India and Indonesia qualified for the knockout from Group C. The group toppers will be decided by their match on Wednesday.
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