Indian Challenge Continues as Lakshya Sen Shines in Japan
India's top-ranked men's singles shuttler Lakshya Sen kept the nation's flag flying high at the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 tournament, securing an impressive quarterfinal berth with a commanding victory over Singapore's Jia Heng Jason Teh on Thursday. The 39-minute encounter saw the seventh-seeded Indian demonstrate exceptional skill and strategy to overcome his world No. 20 opponent.
Dominant Display Against Familiar Foe
In a remarkable display of badminton prowess, Lakshya Sen defeated Jason Teh with scores of 21-13, 21-11 in their second-round match at Kumamoto City. The world No. 15 Indian shuttler showcased why he's considered one of the most promising talents in international badminton, controlling the game from start to finish against the Singaporean competitor.
This victory marks another successful chapter in their rivalry, following their previous encounter at the Syed Modi Super 300 final in December last year. Teh had previously expressed his difficulties in handling Lakshya's pace and attacking gameplay, stating after their last match: "I just couldn't keep up with his pace, his attacks... I just couldn't retrieve some of his shots."
Match Analysis: How Lakshya Seized Control
The match began with Jason Teh showing signs of having learned from previous defeats, initiating sharp high-tempo rallies and executing precise net kills. However, Lakshya quickly adapted his strategy, displaying excellent net touch and building an 8-5 lead through extended exchanges.
Despite Jason Teh having the support of his ever-animated coach Kim Ji Hyun - former mentor to PV Sindhu - and briefly taking a 10-9 lead, Lakshya maintained his composure to enter the interval with a narrow one-point advantage. The turning point came at 14-13 when Lakshya unleashed seven consecutive points to claim the first game decisively.
The second game proved even more comfortable for the Indian sensation. A spectacular rally early in the game, featuring incredible court coverage and perfect defensive blocks against Jason Teh's smashes, set the tone at 1-1. From that moment, Lakshya never trailed, demonstrating sharp movement and taking the shuttle early to keep his opponent constantly on the backfoot.
Quarterfinal Challenge Ahead
Lakshya Sen now prepares to face former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the quarterfinals. Interestingly, the Indian holds a favorable 6-3 head-to-head record against the third seed, though they haven't competed against each other since March 2024. Adding another layer of intrigue to this matchup, Kim Ji Hyun will once again be in the coaching chair, this time for Loh Kean Yew.
Prannoy's Tournament Ends in Disappointment
In contrasting fortunes for Indian badminton, HS Prannoy saw his campaign end at the round of 16 stage. The 33-year-old Indian veteran fell to Denmark's Rasmus Gemke in a 46-minute battle, with scores of 18-21, 15-21. This result means Lakshya Sen remains the sole Indian representative in the tournament.
Lakshya's consistent performance comes as a positive sign for Indian badminton fans, especially considering the shuttler has experienced fluctuating form throughout the year on the BWF World Tour circuit. His dominant display against a top-20 opponent suggests he's finding his rhythm at the crucial stage of the season.
