Srikanth stuns World No. 9 Lai, enters China Masters QF; Dhruv-Tanisha, Tanvi exit
Synopsis
Kidambi Srikanth, the 2021 World Championships silver medallist, ousted World No. 9 Victor Lai — the man who had just ended Lakshya Sen's campaign — to reach the China Masters Super 750 quarter-finals. It is his second QF of the season and a statement win on the Super 750 stage.
Key Takeaways
Kidambi Srikanth defeated World No.
9 Victor Lai 21-18, 21-19 to enter the men's singles quarter-finals at the China Masters Super 750 in Shenzhen .
Srikanth will face Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong in the quarter-finals.
This is Srikanth's second quarter-final of the 2024 season, after finishing runner-up at the US Open in June .
Tanvi Sharma lost to Tomoka Miyazaki 17-21, 21-18, 16-21 , ending India's women's singles challenge.
Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto were knocked out of mixed doubles by Chinese Taipei's Liu Kuang Heng and Hsu Yin-Hui .
5 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced with a 21-11, 21-16 win and face the Popov brothers next.
Kidambi Srikanth delivered one of his finest performances of the season, defeating world No. 9 Canadian Victor Lai 21-18, 21-19 in straight games to advance to the men's singles quarter-finals of the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament at Shenzhen Arena on Thursday, 3 September. The result ends Lai's run at the event and keeps India's flag flying in the men's draw.
Srikanth's Dominant Run in Shenzhen
The former world No. 1 and 2021 BWF World Championships silver medallist has been in commanding form throughout the tournament. In the opening round, Srikanth brushed aside Chinese Taipei's Chi Yu-jen (World No. 21) 21-16, 21-15 in just 35 minutes. His latest win over Lai — a two-time BWF World Championships bronze medallist — underlines his growing confidence on the Super 750 circuit.
Notably, Lai had earlier eliminated Lakshya Sen in the round of 32, making Srikanth's revenge of sorts all the more significant for Indian badminton fans. This is Srikanth's second quarter-final of the 2024 season, following his runner-up finish at the US Open in June.
Quarter-Final Opponent: Lee Cheuk Yiu
Srikanth will next face Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong, who upset World No. 9 Toma Popov in the round of 16. Lee is a seasoned circuit performer and the match promises to be a closely contested affair. A semi-final berth would mark Srikanth's deepest run at a Super 750 event this season.
Indian Exits: Tanvi, Dhruv-Tanisha Bow Out
Tanvi Sharma bowed out of the women's singles after a hard-fought three-game loss to Japan's Tomoka Miyazaki, going down 17-21, 21-18, 16-21. Her exit ends India's challenge in the women's singles at the tournament.
In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto were knocked out by Chinese Taipei's pair of Liu Kuang Heng and Hsu Yin-Hui. Earlier in the week, Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde were also eliminated from mixed doubles, losing 21-16, 21-18 to Chinese Taipei's Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin. Devika Sihag had exited the women's singles on Wednesday, falling 21-18, 21-15 to Bulgaria's Kaloyana Nalbantova.
Satwik-Chirag Eye Deep Run
India's best hopes in the doubles draw rest with World No. 5 men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who opened with a commanding 21-11, 21-16 win over Malaysia's Junaidi Arif and Kang Khai Xing in 40 minutes. They are set to face the French pair of Cristo Popov and Toma Junior Popov in their next match. A strong outing from the pair could keep India's Super 750 medal hopes alive.
Point of View
In China, on a Super 750 stage, is the kind of win that resets a ranking trajectory. The broader Indian campaign, however, remains thin: exits in women's singles and mixed doubles leave Satwik-Chirag as the only realistic medal candidates. India's depth at the Super 750 level is still a work in progress.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Kidambi Srikanth win at the China Masters 2024?
Yes, Kidambi Srikanth defeated World No. 9 Victor Lai of Canada 21-18, 21-19 in straight games on 3 September to advance to the men's singles quarter-finals of the China Masters Super 750 in Shenzhen.
Who will Srikanth face in the quarter-finals?
Srikanth will face Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong in the quarter-finals. Lee reached the last eight by defeating World No. 9 Toma Popov in the round of 16.
How did India's other players perform at the China Masters?
Tanvi Sharma lost to Tomoka Miyazaki in three games, ending India's women's singles campaign. Mixed doubles pairs Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto and Rohan Kapoor-Ruthvika Shivani Gadde also exited the tournament.
How are Satwik and Chirag performing at the China Masters 2024?
World No. 5 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty opened with a dominant 21-11, 21-16 win over Malaysia's Junaidi Arif and Kang Khai Xing in 40 minutes. They are scheduled to face French pair Cristo Popov and Toma Junior Popov in their next match.
What is Srikanth's best result this season before the China Masters QF?
Srikanth finished runner-up at the US Open in June 2024, making the China Masters quarter-final his second deep run of the season on the international circuit.
