As the action heats up at the Yonex Canada Open 2025, three Indian shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth, Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian, and Shriyanshi Valishetty are ready to step into the spotlight in the quarterfinal stage of the Super 300 event being held at the Markham Pan Am Centre in Ontario, Canada.
With each player facing a formidable opponent, the upcoming matches could mark significant turning points in their respective seasons and potentially, their careers.
Kidambi Srikanth vs Chou Tien Chen
Men’s Singles | Court 1 | 03:00 AM IST
Head-to-Head: Srikanth 3 – 6 Chou
First up is veteran Kidambi Srikanth, who will lock horns with top seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in what promises to be a pulsating encounter. The two have met nine times before, with Chou leading the head-to-head 6–3, including wins in their recent clashes.
Srikanth, who has shown glimpses of his old form during this tournament, will need to dig deep to overcome the World No. 6. In the Round of 16, Srikanth made a stirring comeback from 13-18 down to win the opening game against Wang Po-Wei before sealing the match in straight games. His court coverage and rally control were on display but against a seasoned opponent like Chou, he’ll need to raise the bar further.
This quarterfinal is more than just a match it’s a litmus test for Srikanth, who is aiming to reclaim his consistency and climb back up the world rankings. A win here could reignite his 2025 season and reinforce his status as a contender in the latter stages of BWF World Tour events.
Sankar Muthusamy vs Kenta Nishimoto
Men’s Singles | Court 2 | 03:50 AM IST
Head-to-Head: Sankar 0 – 1 Nishimoto
In another crucial men’s singles quarterfinal, rising star Sankar Muthusamy faces the experienced Japanese shuttler Kenta Nishimoto. This will be their second meeting, with Nishimoto having won their previous encounter.
Sankar, the 2022 Junior World Championship silver medallist, has been quietly making strides on the senior circuit. His Round of 16 victory over Huang Yu Kai showcased his trademark resilience and tactical discipline. After edging a tight first game 21-19, he asserted dominance in the second to close out the match 21-14.
Now, Sankar faces a different challenge altogether. Nishimoto, known for his defensive grit and shot precision, will test the young Indian’s ability to maintain tempo and capitalize on shorter rallies. A win here would not only be a breakthrough for Sankar but a statement that he’s ready to consistently compete at the top level.
Shriyanshi Valishetty vs Amalie Schulz
Women’s Singles | Court 2 | 08:30 PM IST
Head-to-Head: Shriyanshi 2 – 0 Schulz
Arguably the most exciting storyline of this Canada Open has been the rise of 18-year-old Shriyanshi Valishetty, who continues to defy expectations. After a dominant straight-game win over Malaysia’s Karupathevan Letshanaa, Shriyanshi moved into the quarterfinals of a BWF World Tour event for the second time in her career the first being at the Syed Modi International 2024.
With this, she became only the 10th Indian women’s singles player in history to reach multiple World Tour quarterfinals a list that includes names like PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, and Malvika Bansod.
Her opponent, Amalie Schulz of Denmark, is no pushover. But Shriyanshi leads their head-to-head 2–0 and will be carrying momentum into the match. Schulz, a technically sound and physical player, will look to disrupt Shriyanshi’s rhythm. But if the Indian can dictate the rallies and stay mentally composed, she has a strong shot at entering her first-ever Super 300 semifinal.
A Defining Day for Indian Badminton
The Canada Open 2025 has already brought plenty of positives for Indian badminton. From Shriyanshi’s rapid rise to Srikanth’s resurgence and Sankar’s steady progression, the tournament is shaping up to be a pivotal point in the calendar.
- For Kidambi Srikanth, it’s a shot at redemption a chance to beat a top-10 player and remind the world of his class.
- For Sankar, it’s an opportunity to accelerate his senior career with a marquee win.
- For Shriyanshi, it’s the door to a potential breakthrough season a semifinal here could see her rankings and confidence soar.
Moreover, with India winning all three Round of 16 matches, the quarterfinals represent not just individual aspirations but a growing collective strength in the singles circuit.
Tournament Details
- Event: Yonex Canada Open 2025 (Super 300)
- Dates: 4–5 July 2025
- Venue: Markham Pan Am Centre, Ontario, Canada
- Watch Live: BWF TV YouTube Channel
As the Indian trio prepares for their quarterfinal matches, fans across the country will be watching closely and cheering loudly. Whether it’s the experience of Srikanth, the hunger of Sankar, or the fearlessness of Shriyanshi, Friday promises to be a memorable day for Indian badminton.
Let the shuttles fly!
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