Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth bowed out in the semi-finals of the men’s singles event at the Canada Open 2025 badminton tournament in Ontario on Saturday as India’s campaign at the BWF Super 300 tournament concluded.
Kidambi Srikanth, 49th in the men’s singles badminton rankings, won the first game but squandered the lead to lose 19-21, 21-14, 21-18 to Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto, the world No. 12 and third seed, in an hour and 18 minutes.
The Indian badminton player, who upset top seed Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals, made a bright start against Kenta Nishimoto too. Despite trailing 18-16 at one stage, Kidambi Srikanth fought back to take the opening game.
Srikanth took the momentum into the second game and raced to a 9-4 lead before Kenta Nishimoto drew level at 14-all. From that point, the Japanese shifted up a gear and took the next seven points in succession to draw level in the match.
The decider, a tense one, swayed like a pendulum. Once 6-1 behind, a fruitful phase in the middle saw Srikanth lead 12-8. Kenta Nishimoto also responded to draw level at 18-18 before wrapping up the game and match.
This was Kidambi Srikanth’s fifth loss to Kenta Nishimoto in 11 meetings. The head-to-head was tied at five-all heading into Saturday’s fixture.
Kidambi Srikanth was the only Indian challenge left at the Canada Open.
Shriyanshi Valishetty was ousted in the quarter-finals of the women’s singles event on Friday, while mixed doubles top seeds Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, the only Indian team in action, were knocked out in the first round.
Indian badminton players will be in action next on the BWF World Tour at the Super 750 Japan Open, which begins on July 15.