Srikanth upsets World No. 8 Kodai Naraoka to reach Kumamoto Masters quarter-finals
Kidambi Srikanth defeated World No. 8 Kodai Naraoka 21-15, 11-21, 21-18 in the pre-quarterfinals of the Kumamoto Masters on Wednesday, November 12, 2026, advancing to the tournament quarter-finals in an hour. The former world No. 1 produced the win in a three-game contest in Kumamoto.
The victory was Srikanth's first over Naraoka in five tour meetings and their first head-to-head in more than two years. Ranked 31st, Srikanth has reached only his second quarter-final this year at events classified as Super 500 or above, having made the US Open Super 300 final in June but otherwise struggled for consistency this season.
Srikanth trailed 12-14 early in the opening game before winning nine of the next 10 points to take the first set 21-15. Naraoka, buoyed by the home crowd, responded to level the match by taking the second game 21-11. In the decider Srikanth carried an 11-7 lead into the final change of ends and held that advantage to close out the match 21-18.
After the win Srikanth punched the air in delight and shared a brief exchange with Naraoka at the net. The match lasted an hour.
"What a sensational win for Kidamdi Srikanth The old gaffer finally breaks in his career the barrier of Kodai Naraoka after 5 meetings. Outsted 5th seed Kodai in three thrilling games at #KumamotoMasters2026 It's really feels good to see Sri playing such gameplay again https://t.co/bcIa1bUZ7pā Amit Kumar De (@AmitK98infinite) November 12, 2026"
Meanwhile, fifth seed Lakshya Sen, the eighth seed at the Kumamoto Masters, defeated China's Dong Tian Yao 21-8, 21-14 to reach the quarter-finals and keep his hopes of winning back-to-back titles on the tour alive. Lakshya arrived in Kumamoto on the back of his Hylo Open Super 500 title last month, skipped the Korea Masters last week and made the trip to Japan fresher and with momentum on his side.
Lakshya, ranked 13th in the men's singles, holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against World No. 17 Yushi Tanaka, whom he will next face. Srikanth will meet Koki Watanabe, the World No. 15, and holds a 2-0 record against him, including a 21-15, 21-23, 24-22 victory at the Indonesia Masters; in men's doubles, Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun lost in straight games to Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi.
Srikanth is set to face Koki Watanabe in the quarter-finals on Friday, while Lakshya Sen's next opponent will be Yushi Tanaka in the last eight.