Kidambi Srikanth Finishes as Runner-Up at US Open Super 300 Badminton Tournament

In a thrilling showdown at the US Open Super 300 badminton tournament, India's Kidambi Srikanth secured a runner-up position after a challenging match against Su Li-yang from Chinese Taipei. Despite a strong start and a valiant effort to come back after losing the first game, Srikanth ultimately fell short in a physical battle that showcased his skills and determination. This match marks another significant moment in Srikanth's career, following his previous second-place finishes in other tournaments. Read on to discover the key moments and dynamics of this exciting final.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 29, 2026, 09:01 IST

Srikanth's Journey to the Finals

India's Kidambi Srikanth concluded his remarkable performance at the US Open Super 300 badminton tournament with a second-place finish, losing a hard-fought match against Su Li-yang from Chinese Taipei in the men's singles final.

At 33 years old, Srikanth, who won a silver medal at the 2021 World Championships, battled back after dropping the first game but ultimately fell short against the younger Su, ranked 46th in the world.

Match Highlights

The final match, which lasted just over an hour, ended with scores of 15-21, 21-16, 9-21. Srikanth had previously secured second place at both the Malaysia Masters Super 500 and the Syed Modi International Super 300 tournaments last year.

In his first final of the season, Srikanth started strong but faced a setback due to an unusual error where his racquet crossed the net, allowing Su to take an early 7-2 lead.

Turning Point in the Match

Despite this, Srikanth quickly regained his composure, winning eight of the next eleven points to level the score at 10-10. His powerful smashes were instrumental in gaining a slight lead at the mid-game interval after Su made a mistake.

However, Su regained control after the break, increasing the pace and using clever tactics to force errors from Srikanth, extending his lead to 17-12.

Deciding Game Dynamics

Although Srikanth managed to reduce the gap to 14-18 with a cross-court smash, Su's relentless play earned him six game points, and he closed the first game in just 17 minutes.

The second game saw both players evenly matched, with Srikanth initially taking a 7-4 lead. However, Su's powerful smashes and strategic plays kept the match competitive.

Final Game Challenges

In the deciding game, Su came out aggressively, quickly establishing a 4-1 lead. Srikanth struggled with consistency, alternating between impressive plays and unforced errors, which allowed Su to maintain a significant lead.

A controversial moment occurred when Srikanth was not allowed to change his shirt, visibly affecting his focus. Su capitalized on this, extending his lead to 15-7.

Conclusion of the Match

Despite a valiant effort, Srikanth could not recover, and Su ultimately secured his first BWF World Tour title after earning 12 championship points. Srikanth's journey in the tournament showcased his resilience and skill, setting the stage for future competitions.