Indian badminton star Srikanth Kidambi produced a resilient performance to advance into the quarterfinals of the Canada Open 2025 after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Wang Po-wei in straight games on Thursday. Despite the straight-game scoreline, Srikanth had to dig deep, coming from behind in both games to clinch a 21-19, 21-18 victory that lasted 47 minutes.
Srikanth’s determined fightback in both games
The first game saw Srikanth trailing 9-14 at one stage as Wang Po-wei dictated play with sharp net dribbles and cross-court smashes. However, the former World No.1 kept his composure, steadily narrowing the gap by focusing on deep clears and precise body smashes to force errors from Wang. From 16-18 down, Srikanth won five of the next six points to take the opening game 21-19, raising his arms to his coach with visible relief.
In the second game, Srikanth once again found himself behind at 6-11 going into the mid-game interval. Wang’s steep attacking strokes and deceptive net play forced Srikanth into defensive lifts repeatedly. But the Indian shuttler adjusted his strategy by engaging in flatter rallies and pouncing on half-chances at the net. His change in tactics paid off as he levelled at 15-15 before pulling away to close the match 21-18.
Match summary
| Statistic | Srikanth Kidambi | Wang Po-wei |
|---|---|---|
| Total points won | 42 | 37 |
| Smash winners | 12 | 14 |
| Net winners | 8 | 6 |
| Unforced errors | 9 | 13 |
| Longest rally | 31 shots | 31 shots |
| Match duration | 47 minutes | 47 minutes |
Srikanth’s unforced error count remained in single digits, showcasing his improved defensive stability and rally tolerance, aspects he has been working on with coach Agus Dwi Santoso to regain his consistency on tour.
Srikanth’s recent struggles and resurgence
The 31-year-old from Guntur has had a mixed season so far in 2025. After early exits at the Malaysia Open and Indonesia Masters, he reached the semifinals of the Thailand Open but failed to capitalise on game-point leads against Kodai Naraoka. His performance at the Canada Open marks his first quarterfinal appearance at a Super 300 tournament this year, giving Indian badminton fans hope for a long-awaited title after his last BWF Tour win at the 2017 Denmark Open.
Player reaction post match
Speaking after his win, Srikanth said:
“It wasn’t an easy match. Wang was playing at a very fast pace and I had to adapt quickly. In both games, I told myself to keep fighting till the last point and that’s what helped me come back. I am feeling confident with my movement and strokes now.”
He also credited his team for maintaining his fitness despite a packed travel schedule over the past month.
Fan reactions on social media
Indian badminton fans took to social media to celebrate Srikanth’s fighting win:
- “Great comeback by Srikanth. Need this confidence for Paris Olympics preparation.”
- “Srikanth bhai, please keep this form going. Proud of you!”
- “Heart attack match! But brilliant composure from Srikanth under pressure.”
Many also called it a “vintage Srikanth performance” reminiscent of his peak years between 2017-2018 when he was regarded as one of the world’s fastest and most clinical attacking players.
Road ahead for Srikanth at Canada Open 2025
| Round | Opponent | World Ranking | H2H Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinal | Brian Yang (Canada) | 36 | Srikanth leads 2-0 |
Srikanth will now face Canadian shuttler Brian Yang in the quarterfinals. Yang, ranked 36th, defeated Malaysia’s Ng Tze Yong in the previous round in three games. Srikanth leads their head-to-head record 2-0, having beaten Yang at the 2023 Asian Championships and 2024 Malaysia Open.
Should Srikanth progress, he could potentially meet Japanese veteran Kenta Nishimoto or Thai rising star Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the semifinals.
India’s campaign at Canada Open 2025
Apart from Srikanth, other Indian shuttlers in the fray include Lakshya Sen, who advanced to the second round with a straight-game win, and PV Sindhu, who will play her pre-quarterfinal later today against Beiwen Zhang of the USA.
In men’s doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty withdrew from the tournament due to Satwik’s minor hamstring niggle, as a precaution ahead of the Paris Olympics next month.
Srikanth’s season performance overview
| Tournament | Result |
|---|---|
| Malaysia Open | Round of 32 |
| Indonesia Masters | Round of 16 |
| Thailand Open | Semifinal |
| Singapore Open | Round of 32 |
| Canada Open | Into Quarterfinals |
Badminton experts believe that a deep run in Canada will boost Srikanth’s morale significantly ahead of upcoming BWF World Tour events and team selection considerations for India’s Paris Olympic contingent.
Final thoughts
Srikanth Kidambi’s fighting win over Wang Po-wei reflects not just his technical abilities but his mental fortitude to claw back under pressure. As he moves into the Canada Open quarterfinals, fans hope this marks the beginning of a turnaround for the former World No.1, paving the way for a memorable second half of the 2025 season.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and reporting purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice or athlete management guidance. Readers are advised to refer to official tournament websites and player statements for specific updates. The publication assumes no responsibility for any actions taken based on this news report.
