New Delhi: Seasoned Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth kept India’s challenge alive at the Malaysia Masters on Friday with a gritty win against higher-ranked Toma Junior Popov of France to storm into the semifinals. Srikanth registered a hard-fought three-game victory over Popov, who was considered to be a big threat for the Indian badminton player.
The Indian shuttler ranked 65th currently and a former world number one and World Championships and Asian Games silver medallist, fought very hard against the French tennis place, who’s ranked 18th in the world, to outwit him 24-22, 17-21, 22-20 in a contest that lasted for one hour and 14 minutes.
🚨#News l Kidambi Srikanth 👑 enters the Semi-Finals of the Malaysia Masters🏆
Srikanth defeated an in form Toma Popov of France in a close 3 game match🔥🔥🔥
🏸Final Score: 24-22, 17-21, 22-20#BWFWorldTour #Indianbadminton #Badminton pic.twitter.com/ZSeT4zOR6t
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) May 23, 2025
Srikanth’s first SF in over an year
The only surviving Indian player will face-off against Yushi Tanaka of Japan in the last four round in his first semifinal appearance in more than an year. Japanese Tanaka beat France’s Christo Popov, brother of Toma Junior, 21-18 16-21 21-6, in another men’s singles quarterfinal clash on the same day. The other men’s singles semifinal contest will be played between fourth seed Kodai Naraoka of Japan and second seed Li Shi Feng of China.
After the exit of mixed doubles Indian pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto in the quarterfinals of the BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament, Srikanth has kept hopes alive and kicking for India. The pair of Kapila and Crasto, who had a good campaign in the event till the quarters, went down 22-24, 13-21 in a 35-minute affair against Chinese top seed of Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin.
Kidambi Srikanth kept India’s challenge alive at the Malaysia Masters on Friday with a gritty win to enter the semifinals of the event. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
