Kumamoto, November 13 (H.S.): India’s experienced shuttler Kidambi Srikanth bowed out of the Japan Masters after suffering a straight-games defeat to Japan’s Koki Watanabe in the men’s singles quarter-finals on Friday. Watanabe defeated the Indian 24-22, 21-15 in a closely contested encounter lasting 41 minutes.

The opening game was fiercely competitive, with neither player willing to concede an advantage even after the score crossed the 20-point mark. Backed by the home crowd, Watanabe held his nerve during the crucial exchanges to edge ahead and clinch the game 24-22.

Srikanth made an impressive start to the second game and established a commanding 11-5 lead at the mid-game interval. He continued to hold the advantage and was ahead 14-9, appearing well placed to force a decider. However, Watanabe mounted a remarkable comeback, winning 12 of the next 13 points to turn the contest around and take the game 21-15. The Japanese shuttler thus sealed his place in the semi-finals.

Despite the quarter-final exit, Srikanth had an encouraging overall campaign at the tournament. In the previous round, he had registered an impressive victory over fifth seed and home favourite Kodai Naraoka, defeating him for the first time in their five meetings.

Srikanth overcame Naraoka 21-15, 11-21, 21-18. After losing the second game by a considerable margin, the Indian produced a determined performance in the decider to secure the victory and advance to the quarter-finals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar