I’m there: Srikanth believes in better days after US Open runner-up finish

Kidambi Srikanth came tantalizingly close to ending a stubborn nine-year individual title drought on Sunday, settling for runner-up at the US Open Super 300 badminton tournament in Fullerton, California. The 33-year-old veteran, playing in his first BWF World Tour final of the 2026 season, produced a vintage, gritty performance before finally running out of steam against Chinese Taipei’s Su Li-yang.

In a grueling physical battle that lasted one hour and nine minutes at the Titan Gymnasium, Srikanth fought back to force a decision but eventually succumbed to his opponent’s relentless pace and youth to lose 15-21, 21-16, 9-21.

The former world number one, who expended considerable energy to survive a three-game marathon against Japan’s Yudai Okimoto in the semi-finals, looked sharp early on. A rare net error disrupted his early rhythm but Srikanth rallied from 2-7 down with a series of trademark powerful smashes to lead 11-10 at the first interval. However, the world number 46 used a tactical deception after the break to pick up the pace and pull away to claim the opening game.

However, Srikanth fought back to take the second game and keep pace with his younger opponent in the decider.

The psychological turning point for Srikanth came in this last interval. Visibly drenched and exhausted, his request for a shirt change was unequivocally denied by the presiding umpire. The veteran’s composure was visibly disturbed by the decision. Srikanth was simply no match for his opponent’s sudden, explosive intensity and managed to win just two more points as Su reeled off an aggressive, unanswered run to seal his first World Tour crown.

Despite the agonizing end, Srikanth, whose last title came back at the 2017 French Open, prefers to see the tournament as a huge step in the right direction.

“I feel I played well,” reflected Srikanth after the match.

“I could have played a little bit better in the opening set. The second half of the third set, all of a sudden he was hitting really well. I just feel like whatever I’ve been doing has been working. I’ve got to keep working hard. I feel there, it’s just about being able to win those key points. He’s been playing really well the last few months. It’s another day where he’s been playing points exceptionally well.”

Running in California serves as a quiet vindication for the seasoned fighter. Srikanth has fallen significantly in the national rankings over the past few years, losing his permanent singles spot at major individual events. In the upcoming Asian Games, youngsters Ayush Shetty and Lakshya Sen will represent India in the singles category.

Still, the 33-year-old refuses to read the Twilight script. Pushing his body through the physical rigors of Fullerton, Srikanth proved he still belongs in the mix, leaving the United States with the comforting knowledge that boyish joy and competitive edge are very much intact.

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

June 29, 2026 1:56 PM IST