India, May 25 -- Kidambi Srikanth's brilliant run at the $475,000 Malaysia Masters badminton tournament came to an end on Sunday after he lost in the final to second seed Li Shi Feng of China.

It had been a long week for India's world No.65, who had to come through the qualifiers to reach the main draw before reaching his first final in three-and-a-half years. But facing the reigning Asian Games champion, Srikanth looked completely drained, losing 11-21, 9-21 in 36 minutes at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

It was Srikanth's fourth consecutive loss to the former All England champion in their five meetings. The only time the former world No.1 beat Li was at the 2021 World Championships, which was also the last final on the tour before ...