Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth narrowly missed ending his long wait for an individual title on Sunday after finishing runner-up at the US Open Super 300 tournament in Fullerton, California. Competing in his first BWF World Tour final of the 2026 season, the experienced campaigner delivered a spirited performance but was ultimately beaten by Chinese Taipei’s Su Li-yang.
The 33-year-old battled for one hour and nine minutes in a demanding final at the Titan Gymnasium. After losing the opening game, Srikanth mounted an impressive comeback to level the contest before eventually falling 15-21, 21-16, 9-21 in the decider.
The former world number one entered the final after a physically taxing semi-final victory over Japan’s Yudai Okimoto and initially showed signs of confidence and sharpness. Although he fell behind early and struggled with a net fault that disrupted his rhythm, Srikanth recovered from a 2-7 deficit with a series of powerful attacking shots to take an 11-10 lead at the mid-game interval. However, Su responded effectively after the break, increasing the tempo and using clever variation to secure the first game.
Refusing to back down, Srikanth raised his level in the second game and managed to force the match into a deciding third set. He remained competitive for much of the final game, matching his opponent point for point before the momentum shifted dramatically.
A key moment came at the final interval when a visibly exhausted Srikanth requested permission to change his shirt. The request was denied by the chair umpire, a decision that appeared to affect his focus. Struggling to regain composure, he was unable to keep up with Su’s aggressive surge. The Chinese Taipei player dominated the closing stages, conceding only two more points before sealing his first World Tour title.
Despite the disappointment of falling short in the final, Srikanth viewed the tournament as a positive sign of progress in his comeback journey.
Reflecting on the match, he acknowledged that he could have performed better in parts of the opening game but felt satisfied with his overall level. He noted that Su elevated his performance at crucial moments and credited his opponent for executing under pressure. Srikanth also expressed confidence that his hard work was beginning to pay off and believed he was close to achieving stronger results again.
The tournament marked an encouraging return to form for the Indian veteran, whose most recent individual title came at the 2017 French Open. Over the past few years, Srikanth has slipped down India’s singles hierarchy and no longer holds a guaranteed place in major events. For the upcoming Asian Games, India’s singles challenge will be led by younger players Ayush Shetty and Lakshya Sen.
Nevertheless, his impressive run in California demonstrated that he remains capable of competing at a high level. By overcoming a demanding draw and reaching the final, Srikanth showed that his determination, experience, and competitive spirit remain intact, offering hope that more strong performances could still lie ahead.
