Kidambi Srikanth Edges Yudai Okimoto in Thriller to Reach US Open Final

Kidambi Srikanth secured his spot in the men's singles final of the US Open Super 300 badminton championships with a hard-fought victory over Japan's Yudai Okimoto. Playing at the Titan Gymnasium in Fullerton, California, the former world No. 1 battled for 72 grueling minutes to claim a 22-20, 15-21, 21-19 win. The semifinal clash delivered high-stakes drama, testing the physical endurance and mental fortitude of both competitors as they traded momentum swings across three tightly contested games.[1][2]

The matchup presented a compelling clash of generations and styles, pitting the 33-year-old Indian veteran against a 21-year-old rising Japanese star. Okimoto, currently ranked 33rd in the world and seeded fourth in the tournament, has been steadily climbing the ranks and recently helped Japan secure its first men's team title at the Asia Team Championships. Srikanth, currently ranked 38th, entered the court looking to leverage his vast international experience against Okimoto's youthful speed and relentless court coverage.[2][6]

Srikanth started the match displaying vintage form, dictating the pace of the rallies to build a commanding 17-10 lead in the opening game. However, Okimoto staged a remarkable comeback, winning 10 of the next 12 points to erase the deficit and earn a crucial game point. Relying on his seasoned composure, Srikanth snapped out of his brief slump, saving the point and reeling off three consecutive winners to snatch the first game 22-20 from the brink of defeat.[2][4]

The second game saw a distinct shift in momentum as the younger Japanese shuttler found his rhythm and began to dictate the terms of engagement. Okimoto controlled the rallies with precise shot-making, taking a slender 11-9 lead into the mid-game interval. From there, he accelerated away, capitalizing on a string of unforced errors from Srikanth to win the game 21-15, forcing a decisive third game and setting the stage for a tense finale.[2][4]

In the decider, Srikanth rediscovered his attacking flair, opening up an early 10-5 advantage as he sought to put the match out of reach. But the resilient Okimoto refused to fade, systematically chipping away at the lead to momentarily edge ahead 13-12. Recognizing the shifting tide, Srikanth responded with a vital burst of six straight points, surging ahead 18-13 and seemingly breaking the Japanese player's resistance.[2][3]

The drama peaked in the closing moments when Okimoto mounted one final, gritty charge, leveling the score at 18-18 and threatening to complete a stunning comeback. Under immense pressure, Srikanth kept his composure, utilizing his trademark net play and subtle variations in pace to outmaneuver his opponent. The Indian veteran secured the final crucial points, closing out the thriller 21-19 and letting out a roar of relief.[3][4]

The victory propels Srikanth into his first final of the 2026 season and brings him within one win of his first BWF title since his triumph at the 2017 French Open during the Superseries era. It marks a welcome return to form for the 2021 World Championships silver medalist, who has been seeking a breakthrough performance on the tour after a series of early exits and near-misses in recent seasons.[1][2]

In Sunday's summit clash, Srikanth will face Chinese Taipei's Su Li Yang, currently ranked 46th in the world. Su earned his place in the final by ending the impressive run of 18-year-old Indian qualifier Rounak Chouhan, winning their semifinal encounter 21-17, 21-19. Srikanth and Su have met twice previously, with both players claiming one victory each, setting the stage for an unpredictable and highly anticipated championship match.[1][5]

Despite his semifinal exit, Chouhan's performance remained a major storyline of the tournament. Competing in his maiden Super 300 event, the teenager stunned world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen earlier in the week, signaling a bright future for Indian badminton. His deep run in California has firmly established him as a rising talent to watch on the BWF World Tour.[1][3]

Elsewhere in the tournament, India's campaign in the women's singles came to an end as Devika Sihag fell to Denmark's second seed Line Christophersen. Christophersen won the 54-minute encounter 21-15, 11-21, 21-15, setting up her own path to the title. For Srikanth, however, the focus now shifts entirely to Sunday, where a long-awaited championship is finally within his grasp.[1][5]