Kidambi Srikanth defeats Rasmus Gemke at Japan Masters 2026 in Round of 32

File photo: Kidambi Srikanth came from a game down to beat Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke in a three-game thriller at the Japan Masters 2026. | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

Kidambi Srikanth defeated Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke 18-21, 21-16 and 24-22 at the Japan Masters 2026 in Round of 32

Srikanth was going for early attacks, while Gemke was keeping the rallies steady with length.

Srikanth advanced with the five-point lead by dictating the pace of the rallies, using sharp net play and pushing Gemke deep into the back corners to force early errors.

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Gemke had cut into the gap with a couple of steady defensive exchanges, but Srikanth continued to set the tempo by varying his shot selection and keeping the pressure on at the net.

At 14-12, Srikanth was applying pressure with sharp, flat clears and trying to dictate the pace of the rallies before Gemke had to settle into a defensive rhythm.

Srikanth held the initiative and led through much of the first half with sharp net play and aggressive cross-court clears.

Gemke tightened his defensive coverage late in the game, and Srikanth made a series of unforced errors in extended baseline rallies, handing the Dane the first game 21-18.

Srikanth bounced back from the first-game loss with a 4-0 lead in the second game.

Gemke used deep clears and long rallies to wipe out Srikanth’s lead in the second game 12-9.

Srikanth turned the momentum around after losing a tight first game by winning the second 21-16 to force a decider.

The intensity went up in the decider, with both players fighting for every point. Srikanth stayed right on Gemke’s heels as the two traded rallies to control the mid-court.

The win moves Srikanth into the Round of 16, where he will play Thailand’s Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul or Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.