Lakshya Sen continued his strong run at the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500, defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in straight games to book his place in the men’s singles semi-finals on Friday (Nov 13). The eighth-seeded Indian defeated the World No. 31 21-16, 21-15 in 40 minutes at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium. Despite playing in front of a home crowd, Tanaka struggled to match Lakshya’s attacking game and quick returns. While, the Indian stayed in control for most of the match to seal a comfortable win. &nbsp;The victory is important for Lakshya as he looks to qualify for the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals in China. He is currently 12th in the World Tour rankings with 64,980 points and only top eight players will qualify for the tournament and a title win in Japan could improve his chances.&nbsp;Lakshya will next face Indonesia’s sixth seed Alwi Farhan in the semi-finals on Saturday (Nov 14). The Indian has lost both his previous matches against the World No. 10 and will look to turn things around. &nbsp;The 24-year-old is also aiming to win his second consecutive BWF Tour title after lifting the Hylo Open trophy in Germany last month. After missing the Korea Masters, he has made a strong return in Japan and has won his last two matches without dropping a game.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aus-vs-eng-1st-odi-marsh-beardman-star-as-australia-beat-england-by-seven-wickets-1794565056550">AUS vs ENG, 1st ODI: Marsh, Beardman star as Australia beat England by seven wickets</a>&nbsp;Against Tanaka, Lakshya took control of the opening game after an even start. The Japanese shuttler tried to fight back, but the Indian held his nerve to take the lead.&nbsp;Lakshya further maintained the pressure in the second game and created a four-point advantage before closing out the match.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-virat-kohli-matches-unwanted-indian-record-for-most-odi-ducks-1794563627973">IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli matches unwanted Indian record for most ODI ducks</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth was knocked out of the tournament after losing 22-24, 15-21 to Japan’s Koki Watanabe in 41 minutes. &nbsp;

Lakshya Sen beat Japan's Yushi Tanaka in straight games to reach the Kumamoto Masters semifinals, while Kidambi Srikanth was knocked out in the quarterfinals.

Lakshya Sen continued his strong run at the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500, defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in straight games to book his place in the men’s singles semi-finals on Friday (Nov 13). The eighth-seeded Indian defeated the World No. 31 21-16, 21-15 in 40 minutes at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium. Despite playing in front of a home crowd, Tanaka struggled to match Lakshya’s attacking game and quick returns. While, the Indian stayed in control for most of the match to seal a comfortable win. The victory is important for Lakshya as he looks to qualify for the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals in China. He is currently 12th in the World Tour rankings with 64,980 points and only top eight players will qualify for the tournament and a title win in Japan could improve his chances. Lakshya will next face Indonesia’s sixth seed Alwi Farhan in the semi-finals on Saturday (Nov 14). The Indian has lost both his previous matches against the World No. 10 and will look to turn things around. The 24-year-old is also aiming to win his second consecutive BWF Tour title after lifting the Hylo Open trophy in Germany last month. After missing the Korea Masters, he has made a strong return in Japan and has won his last two matches without dropping a game. Also Read - AUS vs ENG, 1st ODI: Marsh, Beardman star as Australia beat England by seven wickets Against Tanaka, Lakshya took control of the opening game after an even start. The Japanese shuttler tried to fight back, but the Indian held his nerve to take the lead. Lakshya further maintained the pressure in the second game and created a four-point advantage before closing out the match. Also Read - IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli matches unwanted Indian record for most ODI ducks Meanwhile, former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth was knocked out of the tournament after losing 22-24, 15-21 to Japan’s Koki Watanabe in 41 minutes.

Lakshya Sen beat Japan's Yushi Tanaka in straight games to reach the Kumamoto Masters semifinals, while Kidambi Srikanth was knocked out in the quarterfinals.

Kumamoto Masters: Lakshya Sen beats Yushi Tanaka to enter semifinals

Indian men's singles player Kidambi Srikanth, who finished runner-up at the US Open earlier this year, registered a major win by defeating fifth seed Kodai Naraoka in the second round of the Kumamoto Masters. Naraoka, who won the silver medal at the 2026 World Championships, was also the defending champion. After beating Denmark's Rasmus Gemke 18-21, 21-16, 24-22 in a close first-round match on Wednesday, Srikanth put up another strong performance to defeat Naraoka 21-15, 11-21, 21-18. The Indian entered the match as the underdog, having lost all four of his previous meetings with the Japanese shuttler. &nbsp;Their last meeting took place at the 2024 Singapore Open, where Naraoka had beaten Srikanth in straight games. However, the Indian finally ended his losing run against the Japanese player with this victory, while also bringing Naraoka's title defence at the Kumamoto Masters to an end.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-u-17-world-cup-us-pulls-out-of-tournament-citing-wellbeing-of-our-players-and-staff-1794465588364">FIFA U-17 WC: US pulls out of tournament citing 'wellbeing of players &amp; staff'</a> Srikanth will now face Japan's Koki Watanabe in the quarterfinals on Friday (Nov 13). &nbsp;Meanwhile, eighth seed Lakshya Sen also booked his place in the quarterfinals after securing a comfortable 21-8, 21-14 win over China's Dong Tian Yao in just 35 minutes. He will next face Japan's Yushi Tanaka.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-4th-odi-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-in-india-1794478025791">IND vs NZ, 4th ODI: When and where to watch live streaming in India?</a> However, India's campaign in the doubles events suffered a setback as the men's pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun and the women's duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela both suffered defeats in their respective Round of 16 matches.

Kidambi Srikanth defeated defending champion Kodai Naraoka to book his place in the quarterfinals of the Kumamoto Masters in Japan.

Indian men's singles player Kidambi Srikanth, who finished runner-up at the US Open earlier this year, registered a major win by defeating fifth seed Kodai Naraoka in the second round of the Kumamoto Masters. Naraoka, who won the silver medal at the 2026 World Championships, was also the defending champion. After beating Denmark's Rasmus Gemke 18-21, 21-16, 24-22 in a close first-round match on Wednesday, Srikanth put up another strong performance to defeat Naraoka 21-15, 11-21, 21-18. The Indian entered the match as the underdog, having lost all four of his previous meetings with the Japanese shuttler. Their last meeting took place at the 2024 Singapore Open, where Naraoka had beaten Srikanth in straight games. However, the Indian finally ended his losing run against the Japanese player with this victory, while also bringing Naraoka's title defence at the Kumamoto Masters to an end. Also Read - FIFA U-17 WC: US pulls out of tournament citing 'wellbeing of players & staff' Srikanth will now face Japan's Koki Watanabe in the quarterfinals on Friday (Nov 13). Meanwhile, eighth seed Lakshya Sen also booked his place in the quarterfinals after securing a comfortable 21-8, 21-14 win over China's Dong Tian Yao in just 35 minutes. He will next face Japan's Yushi Tanaka. Also Read - IND vs NZ, 4th ODI: When and where to watch live streaming in India? However, India's campaign in the doubles events suffered a setback as the men's pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun and the women's duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela both suffered defeats in their respective Round of 16 matches.

Kidambi Srikanth defeated defending champion Kodai Naraoka to book his place in the quarterfinals of the Kumamoto Masters in Japan.

Kumamoto Masters: Srikanth beats Naraoka to reach quarterfinals

kumamoto-masters

Kumamoto Masters, News on Kumamoto Masters, stories on Kumamoto Masters, articles on Kumamoto Masters, Kumamoto Masters stories at Wion, Kumamoto Masters news, Kumamoto Masters latest news

kumamoto masters

Kumamoto Masters: Lakshya Sen beats Yushi Tanaka to enter semifinals

Kumamoto Masters: Srikanth beats Naraoka to reach quarterfinals