Momota shows flashes of old magic but bows out in Shenzhen

KUALA LUMPUR: Two-time world champion Kento Momota's comeback from retirement ended in the quarter-finals of the King Cup after an 18-month absence from competitive badminton.

The 30-year-old Japanese, playing his first tournament since stepping away from the sport, bowed out on Friday after a 21-19, 21-15 defeat to world No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China in the invitational event in Shenzhen.

"It has been two or three since I last played against him. Today, Momota showed that he is still an amazing player," said Yuqi, the reigning world champion.

Momota said: "Thank you, Yuqi, for the kind words.

"I've had many tough matches against him, and today was no different.

"Yuqi is skillful and meticulous on court. Hope we will get a chance to play each other again."

Momota, once almost untouchable at his peak, showed flashes of his old brilliance, delighting the crowd with deft net play and trademark down-the-line smashes despite the straight-games defeat.

The former world No. 1 was at the top of his game before a serious road accident following the 2020 Malaysia Masters, an incident that affected his vision and derailed his career.

In 2019, Momota enjoyed the most dominant season of his career, winning a record 11 titles on the circuit.

It remains unclear whether the left-hander will extend his return, having not entered any World Tour events scheduled for January.

Despite his exit, Momota will receive ¥150,000 (RM86,583) in prize money.

Shi Yuqi advanced to the semi-finals, where he will face world No. 8 Alex Lanier of France.

Lanier booked his place in the last four after overcoming Canada's world No. 22 Victor Lai 21-14, 21-19.

In the other half of the draw, defending champion Anders Antonsen of Denmark was pushed hard before prevailing 21-9, 14-21, 21-15 against China's world junior champion Liu Yang Ming Yu.

Antonsen will face Indonesia's world No. 4 Jonatan Christie, who defeated Singapore's world No. 21 Jason Teh 18-21, 21-15, 23-21, in the semi-finals.