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.

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.