Kidambi Srikanth Finishes Runner-Up at US Open 2026, Falls to Su Li Yang After Inspirational Tournament Run

Former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth fell just short of ending his long wait for a BWF World Tour title after finishing runner-up at the US Open Super 300 in Fullerton, USA. 

The experienced Indian shuttler was defeated by Chinese Taipei's Su Li Yang in the men's singles final, going down 15-21, 21-16, 9-21 in a contest that lasted one hour and nine minutes.

Although the title slipped away, Srikanth's week in Fullerton marked one of his best performances in recent years. The 33-year-old reached his first BWF World Tour final of the season and reminded the badminton world that he still possesses the quality to challenge at the highest level.

His campaign also became memorable for another reason—an extraordinary display of sportsmanship that won admiration from players and fans across the badminton community.

Standing between Srikanth and the title was Su Li Yang, one of the form players on the BWF Tour. The Chinese Taipei shuttler entered the final after ending the dream run of India's young talent Rounak Chouhan in the semi-finals and carried that confidence into the championship match.

Su made an aggressive start, quickly establishing a 10-5 advantage in the opening game. Srikanth responded impressively, fighting back to level the score at 10-10 through a series of controlled rallies and sharp attacking strokes. However, Su immediately shifted gears.

The 24-year-old won seven consecutive points, taking complete control of the opening game before closing it out 21-15.

The second game showcased the qualities that have made Srikanth one of India's finest badminton players over the past decade. The opening exchanges remained closely contested, with neither player able to create meaningful separation. At 15-13, Srikanth elevated his game. Mixing his pace cleverly and forcing Su into errors, the Indian reeled off five consecutive points to move within touching distance of the game. He eventually converted his fourth game point, winning the second game 21-16 and taking the final into a deciding third game.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/srikanth-kidambi-storms-into-us-open-2026-final-rounak-chouhan-and-devika-sihag-impress-with-career-best-runs

The comeback reflected both his experience and tactical intelligence. Despite trailing early in the match, Srikanth had once again found a way back into the contest.

The physical effort required to force a deciding game eventually began to show. Srikanth stayed competitive during the opening stages of the third game, trailing narrowly at 9-7. From there, however, Su Li Yang produced the decisive burst. The Chinese Taipei shuttler won eight consecutive points, opening an unassailable lead and effectively deciding the championship. Although Srikanth continued to battle until the final rally, Su comfortably closed out the match 21-9, securing the biggest title of his career.

For Srikanth, the defeat extended his wait for a BWF World Tour title, but the tournament nevertheless represented a significant step forward after several challenging seasons.

Srikanth's journey to the championship match featured several impressive victories. His standout performance came in the semi-finals against Japan's Yudai Okimoto, where he prevailed 22-20, 15-21, 21-19 in a thrilling encounter lasting more than 70 minutes. The former World No. 1 demonstrated remarkable composure during that match, saving a game point in the opening game before relying on his experience to edge a tense deciding game.

Earlier in the tournament, he also defeated Chinese Taipei's Liao Jhuo-Fu in the quarter-finals, steadily building momentum with each passing round. The run to the final marked his best performance on the BWF World Tour in recent years and signals encouraging progress ahead of the remainder of the international season.

While Srikanth's badminton captured headlines throughout the week, one incident away from the scoreline perhaps defined the tournament even more. During his semi-final against Okimoto, a controversial umpiring decision awarded Srikanth a point despite protests from the Japanese player. Although officials declined to overturn the decision, Srikanth chose to intervene.

Walking to the referee, he admitted the shuttle had touched his racket and voluntarily conceded the point to his opponent. The gesture immediately drew praise across the badminton world. In an era where every point carries enormous significance, particularly during a World Tour semi-final, Srikanth's decision reflected the values of honesty, integrity and respect that define the spirit of sport.

Even in defeat, that moment may ultimately become the lasting memory of his US Open campaign.

The US Open proved to be a productive tournament for Indian badminton overall. While Srikanth reached the final, youngsters Rounak Chouhan and Devika Sihag both produced career-best performances by reaching the semi-finals of their respective events. For Srikanth personally, the tournament offers renewed optimism. After battling injuries and inconsistent form over recent seasons, the Indian veteran has shown that he can once again compete with some of the world's best players.

The title may have remained out of reach in Fullerton, but reaching the final, defeating quality opponents and displaying exceptional sportsmanship has made the US Open 2026 one of the most encouraging weeks of Srikanth's recent career.

His search for another BWF World Tour title continues, but if this performance is any indication, that wait may not last much longer.