Kidambi Srikanth Falls Short Again at US Open Badminton Final

Kidambi Srikanth reached the US Open final but fell short against China's Su Li Yang, marking another runner-up finish in his quest for a BWF World Tour title. Despite the loss, Srikanth's performance showcased his resilience and sportsmanship, particularly during a tense semifinal. With a history of six BWF Super Series titles, he continues to strive for success at the highest level of badminton. Read on to explore the details of his match and the challenges he faced.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 29, 2026, 13:25 IST

Srikanth's Journey to the Final

After a seven-month hiatus from finals, Kidambi Srikanth made his way to the BWF World Tour event final, marking his return since finishing as a runner-up at the Syed Modi India International in November 2025. However, he faced another setback, finishing second at the US Open held on June 28. The former World No. 1 battled against China's Su Li Yang in the men's singles final, but ultimately fell short, extending his wait for a BWF World Tour title.

The match, which took place in Fullerton, lasted one hour and nine minutes, with Srikanth, 33, competing against a younger opponent, Li Yang, who is just 24. Despite a valiant effort, Srikanth succumbed to a score of 21-15, 16-21, 21-9.

Li Yang started strong, quickly establishing a 10-5 lead in the first game. Although Srikanth managed to equalize at 10-10, Li Yang surged ahead, winning seven consecutive points to take the first game. In the second game, Srikanth found his rhythm, overcoming a 15-13 deficit to lead 20-13, eventually winning the game and forcing a decisive third game.

However, fatigue seemed to affect Srikanth in the final game. He initially kept pace with Li Yang at 9-7, but the Chinese player then dominated, scoring eight consecutive points to clinch the match.

During the semifinals, Srikanth displayed remarkable sportsmanship by conceding a point back to Japan's Koo Takahashi Okimoto after officials upheld a controversial call, showcasing his integrity on the court.

With six BWF Super Series titles to his name, including an impressive four titles in 2017, Srikanth's journey continues as he seeks to reclaim his status among the elite in badminton. Despite the disappointment of not securing the title, his performance in the tournament signals a positive trajectory in his career.