Srikanth Kidambi’s hopes for a BWF World Tour title ended at the Canada Open Super 300, as he lost a nail-biting semifinal to Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in a three-game thriller.
A Missed Opportunity
The Canada Open Super 300 semifinal presented a significant chance for Srikanth Kidambi to break his long-standing BWF World Tour title drought. With top seed Kodai Naraoka already out, the path seemed clearer for the Indian shuttler.
However, world No. 12 Kenta Nishimoto proved to be a formidable opponent. Despite Srikanth holding a better head-to-head record coming into the match, their last encounter was in 2023, and Nishimoto’s tenacious style often challenges Srikanth.
A Rollercoaster Battle Begins
The match kicked off with an intense 24-shot rally, signaling the challenge ahead for Srikanth. Both players initially struggled with accuracy, particularly on crosscourt shots, but Srikanth found success with well-placed half-smashes.
At the mid-game interval, Srikanth trailed slightly at 10-11. However, he soon surged ahead. A crucial net-kill at 15-15, reminiscent of his strong play at the Malaysia Masters, helped him maintain his lead.
Srikanth capitalized on this momentum, winning four straight points from 16-18 down to clinch the opening game 21-19. A bit of net cord luck sealed the deal, leaving Nishimoto visibly frustrated.
Nishimoto Fights Back in Game Two
Game two saw Srikanth start strong, even challenging a call successfully to take a 12-8 lead. His vision on court seemed sharp, but Nishimoto’s renowned tenacity soon began to chip away at Srikanth’s advantage.
Unforced errors crept into Srikanth’s game, allowing the third seed to narrow the gap to just one point at 11-12. The longest rally of the match, a grueling 36-shot exchange, saw Srikanth dictate the attack and eventually emerge victorious, maintaining his lead.
Despite winning that point, Srikanth couldn’t press his advantage. Nishimoto took control, seizing a 17-14 lead with a brilliant backhand block. Three consecutive errors from Srikanth then propelled Nishimoto to a commanding 20-14 lead, and he quickly closed out the second game 21-14, forcing a decider.
Decisive Third Game Drama
Srikanth’s momentum seemed to vanish at the start of the third game. He quickly found himself trailing 1-6 due to uncharacteristic mistakes. However, he slowly began to pump himself up, winning a few crucial points to try and regain his footing.
He staged a remarkable comeback, unleashing an inside-out crosscourt winner that floored Nishimoto. A run of five straight points saw Srikanth snatch the lead at 9-8, taking a crucial three-point advantage into the final change of ends after a wasted review from Nishimoto.
Holding a 14-9 lead, Srikanth appeared to be in a comfortable position. Yet, the ghost of unforced errors returned, with two missed smashes allowing Nishimoto to close the gap. The Japanese player relentlessly pursued every point, eventually leveling the score at 17-17 after a wide shot from Srikanth.
Srikanth showcased his fighting spirit with a sensational diving effort and a round-the-head smash winner to reclaim a point at 17-17. But in a swift turn, Nishimoto gained two match points as Srikanth’s shot choice proved costly.
The match ultimately concluded with another unforced error from the Indian. While Srikanth’s aggressive, line-pushing style is his hallmark, these errors at critical junctures of the third game undoubtedly cost him the match.
- Srikanth Kidambi lost to Kenta Nishimoto in the Canada Open Super 300 semifinal.
- The match was a closely contested three-game thriller, lasting 78 minutes.
- Srikanth struggled with unforced errors, particularly in the latter stages of games.
- This loss extends Srikanth’s wait for a BWF World Tour title.
Despite the loss, Srikanth’s journey to the semifinal demonstrated flashes of his vintage form, offering hope for future tournaments and a potential return to the winners’ circle.
