Kumamoto Masters Japan: Kidambi Srikanth stuns world No. 8 Kodai to reach quarters

Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen advanced to the men's singles quarterfinals of the 2026 Kumamoto Masters Japan Super500 on Thursday.

Kidambi registered a big win against world No. 8 and defending champion Kodai Naraoka of Japan in a three-game thriller, 21-15, 11-21, 21-18.

Kodai tried to make a late comeback and even saved two match points in the decider but was eventually defeated in an hour-long match. 

This is the first win for former world No. 1 against Kodai in their fifth meeting on the circuit, and he will now face Koki Watanabe in the last eight on Friday.

Kidambi will be aiming to enter his first semi-final in five months with a win against Watanabe, against whom he has a 2-0 advantage in the head-to-head record.

He has now joined Lakshya Sen in the final eight as he claimed a comfortable 21-8, 21-14 win against China's Tian Yao Dong in his quarterfinal matchup.

Lakshya will next face Yushi Tanaka of Japan in the quarterfinal on Friday, where the former has a 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head record.

The 25-year-old has been in good form, coming into this tournament right after his victory at the Hylo Open in Germany and now will try to maintain his form.