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India’s singles campaign at the China Masters Super 750 came to an end on Friday as veteran shuttler Kidambi Srikanth suffered a straight-games defeat to Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu in the men’s singles quarterfinals.

Srikanth battled hard but could not find a way past Lee, eventually going down 16-21, 16-21. The defeat brought an end to a promising run for the former world No. 1, who had produced one of India’s standout performances earlier in the tournament by defeating Canada’s world No. 9 Victor Lai in the Round of 16.

Kidambi Srikanth Fights Hard Against Lee Cheuk Yiu

The quarterfinal began with Srikanth looking to impose his attacking game, but Lee managed to stay in control and claimed the opening game 21-16.

The second game proved to be a much tighter affair. Srikanth remained within touching distance for much of the contest, with the score locked at 14-14 as both players fought for the crucial advantage.

However, the Hong Kong shuttler produced the stronger finish from that point. Srikanth managed just two more points as Lee pulled away to close out the game 21-16 and seal his place in the semifinals.

Kidambi Srikanth’s Road to the Quarterfinals

Srikanth’s campaign had offered plenty of encouragement before Friday’s defeat.

The former world No. 1 opened his China Masters campaign with a comfortable 21-16, 21-15 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Chi Yu-jen. He then produced one of the tournament’s notable upsets, overcoming world No. 9 Victor Lai 21-18, 21-19 to reach the quarterfinals.

Srikanth had trailed 11-15 in the opening game against Lai but responded strongly to turn the contest around and secure his place in the last eight. The victory marked his first Super 750 quarterfinal appearance since 2021.

India’s Singles Campaign Ends in Shenzhen

With Srikanth’s exit, India’s singles challenge at the China Masters came to an end.

Lakshya Sen suffered a first-round defeat against Victor Lai, while Tanvi Sharma bowed out in the Round of 16 after a hard-fought three-game battle against Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki.

India’s mixed doubles pairing of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also exited earlier in the tournament after losing to Chinese Taipei’s Liu Kuang Heng and Hsu Yin Hui.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty Carry India’s Hopes

While India’s singles campaign is over, the country’s challenge at the China Masters continues in the men’s doubles.

Top Indian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the quarterfinals after overcoming French brothers Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov 21-15, 22-24, 21-9 and will now face the Danish pair of Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, later today.