India’s Kidambi Srikanth scripted a memorable win at the Canada Open 2025 on Friday as he defeated World No. 6 Chou Tien-Chen of Chinese Taipei in a thrilling quarter-final encounter to storm into the semi-finals. The former World No. 1 displayed his vintage aggression and resilience to outplay the Taiwanese star 21-18, 16-21, 21-17 in an intense 71-minute contest at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary.
Srikanth’s statement victory
Coming into the match as the underdog, Srikanth faced an opponent against whom he had a 3-6 head-to-head record prior to Friday. However, the Indian shuttler looked determined from the start, dictating rallies with sharp smashes and tight net play. He took the opening game 21-18 despite Chou’s late surge.
In the second game, Chou raised his tempo, exploiting Srikanth’s slight dip in movement to take it 21-16 and force a decider. The third game saw the Indian racing to an 11-6 lead at the interval with fast attacking drives. Chou tried to mount a comeback at 14-16 but Srikanth held his nerve, closing the match with a powerful cross-court smash.
Match summary: Quarter-final
| Player | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidambi Srikanth (IND) | 21 | 16 | 21 | Won |
| Chou Tien-Chen (TPE) | 18 | 21 | 17 | Lost |
Speaking after the match, Srikanth said:
“It feels great to beat a top-10 player after a while. Chou is a tough opponent but I stuck to my attacking plan. I feel my rhythm and confidence are back. Looking forward to the semis.”
Srikanth’s road to the semi-finals
The 31-year-old Indian has had a solid run this week:
| Round | Opponent | Country | Score | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R32 | Jason Ho-Shue | Canada | 21-14, 21-12 | 36 min |
| R16 | Rasmus Gemke | Denmark | 19-21, 21-17, 21-13 | 64 min |
| QF | Chou Tien-Chen | Chinese Taipei | 21-18, 16-21, 21-17 | 71 min |
This marks Srikanth’s first semi-final appearance in a BWF World Tour Super 500 event since the 2023 India Open, boosting his confidence ahead of upcoming Olympic qualification tournaments.
Coach Agus Dwi Santoso lauds Srikanth
Indian singles coach Agus Dwi Santoso praised Srikanth’s performance, stating:
“His footwork and net play were outstanding today. The tactical discipline to not over-commit on smashes helped him stay patient. We are working to make him consistent again at this level.”
Upcoming semi-final challenge
Srikanth will now face Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in the semi-final on Saturday. Nishimoto, World No. 12, defeated Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen 21-13, 21-19 in his quarter-final. Srikanth leads their head-to-head 5-3 but lost their last meeting at the 2024 Denmark Open.
Men’s singles semi-final line-up
| Semi-final | Players |
|---|---|
| SF1 | Viktor Axelsen (DEN) vs Loh Kean Yew (SGP) |
| SF2 | Kidambi Srikanth (IND) vs Kenta Nishimoto (JPN) |
The other semi-final will see World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen take on Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew in what promises to be a high-voltage clash.
Srikanth’s career resurgence
Once India’s poster boy for men’s singles badminton, Srikanth has endured a challenging phase in recent years due to injuries and inconsistent form. However, his performance this week has rekindled hopes of a return to the top 10.
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Reached World No. 1; won four Superseries titles |
| 2021 | Silver medal, BWF World Championships |
| 2022 | Team gold, Thomas Cup |
| 2023 | Quarter-finals, India Open |
| 2025 | Semi-finals (ongoing), Canada Open |
Reactions from badminton fraternity
- PV Sindhu: “Srikanth anna is back! What a win against Chou. Go all the way.”
- Parupalli Kashyap: “Beating Chou is never easy. Srikanth played smart and aggressive. Proud of him.”
- BWF commentators: “Vintage Srikanth today – deceptive flicks, cross smashes, and lightning footwork.”
What this win means for Srikanth’s Paris Olympic qualification
With the Olympic qualification window underway, Srikanth’s semi-final run will earn him crucial ranking points to break back into the top 20, strengthening his chances for Paris 2026.
Former national coach Vimal Kumar said:
“He needs consistent quarters and semis in big events to qualify. This win is a big morale booster.”
Fans celebrate on social media
Fans across India celebrated Srikanth’s victory, with hashtags #CanadaOpen #Srikanth #Badminton trending.
- “Never write off a champion. Srikanth showed true class today.”
- “That smash at 19-17 in third game – pure gold!”
- “Comeback season loading. We believe in you Kidambi.”
Srikanth’s goals for the rest of 2025
In a recent interview, Srikanth emphasised his targets:
“I want to finish this year in the top 15. Olympic qualification is key, but more than that, I want to enjoy my badminton again and play without fear.”
Final thoughts
Kidambi Srikanth’s inspiring victory over World No. 6 Chou Tien-Chen has not only propelled him into the Canada Open 2025 semi-finals but also reignited his status as one of India’s premier badminton talents. As he prepares to face Kenta Nishimoto for a spot in the final, fans and the Indian badminton fraternity will hope this marks the beginning of a successful resurgence in the build-up to Paris 2026.
Disclaimer: This news article is for informational purposes only. It includes match updates, athlete statements, and expert analyses based on public broadcasts and official BWF tournament data. Final results remain subject to confirmation by tournament organisers.
