Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth took a confident step toward reclaiming his place among badminton’s elite as he advanced to the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Masters with a gritty win over Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen on Thursday.
Srikanth, currently ranked 65 in the world after a prolonged slump in form, overcame a stiff challenge from the world No. 33 in straight games, prevailing 23-21, 21-17 in a tightly-contested 59-minute encounter. The victory marks a significant milestone in Srikanth’s efforts to rebuild momentum on the international circuit.
The 31-year-old Indian shuttler showed flashes of the game that once made him a consistent top-10 presence, combining deft net play with sharp smashes. His resilience was tested in the opening game, where he edged Nguyen in extra points, and he carried that momentum into a more controlled second game to seal the match.
Up next, Srikanth faces France’s Toma Junior Popov in the quarterfinals. Popov booked his place with a straight-games win over Indian youngster Ayush Shetty, 21-13, 21-17. The Frenchman, currently a rising force in European badminton, is expected to offer another stern test for Srikanth, who will need to draw upon both his experience and recent improvements to progress further.
India’s singles campaign, however, saw a setback with the exit of Sathish Karunakaran, who went down fighting 14-21, 16-21 to Christo Popov, Toma Junior’s younger brother and men’s doubles partner. Sathish showed promise but was unable to match the consistency and pace of the Frenchman in key moments.
Meanwhile, there was some good news for India in the mixed doubles category. The pairing of Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila clinched a hard-fought three-game victory over France’s Lea Palermo and Julien Maio. The Indian duo displayed composure and teamwork in a see-saw battle, eventually closing out the match 21-17, 18-21, 21-15.
Crasto and Kapila now face a formidable challenge in the quarterfinals, where they will take on the Chinese pairing of Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin, known for their aggressive style and rapid court coverage.
As the tournament progresses, Srikanth’s form will be closely watched by fans and selectors alike. A strong showing in Kuala Lumpur could signal a turning point in the veteran shuttler’s career.
