Lakshya Sen Starts India Open Campaign with Convincing Victory
Lakshya Sen does not rely on physical dominance to win matches. Instead, he uses his quick thinking and faster movements to outplay opponents. On Tuesday, at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the Indian badminton star demonstrated exactly how he does this. He faced the much taller Ayush Shetty in the first round of the India Open Super 750 tournament.
A Battle of Styles on the Court
The match presented a clear contrast in playing styles. Lakshya Sen, aged 24 and a bronze medallist from the 2021 World Championships, brought his compact and high-speed game to the court. Ayush Shetty, standing at six feet five inches tall, tried to use his significant height and powerful shots to gain an advantage. However, Lakshya never let the younger player settle into a comfortable rhythm.
From the very beginning, Lakshya controlled the pace of the game. He took the shuttle early during rallies, forcing Ayush to react quickly. His sharp footwork allowed him to cover the court efficiently, while his deceptive changes of pace kept his opponent guessing. Lakshya mixed defensive plays with sudden counter-attacks, using sliced drops and precise cross-court placements to score points.
Experience Proves Decisive in Straight-Sets Win
The result was a commanding victory for Lakshya Sen. He won the match in just thirty-six minutes, with final scores of 21-12 and 21-15. Ayush Shetty, playing in his first India Open tournament, struggled to handle the pressure. Lakshya's experience at this level shone through, as he exposed the gaps in his opponent's game.
After the match, Lakshya shared his thoughts on the performance. He said he did not expect the match to be too tricky, but acknowledged that first rounds always require some adjustment. He also expressed respect for Ayush, calling him a really good player and stating that he had to come prepared. Lakshya emphasized his focus on taking one match at a time, with his attention now turning to the next challenge.
Looking Ahead to the Second Round
Lakshya Sen's next opponent will be Japan's Kenta Nishimoto. Nishimoto advanced to the second round after seventh seed Kodai Naraoka retired from their match while trailing. This sets up an interesting clash as Lakshya continues his campaign at the India Open.
Other Indian Players Also Make Strong Starts
In other matches at the tournament, Indian players recorded positive results. The women's doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand began confidently, defeating Thailand's Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn and Sukitta Suwachai with scores of 21-15 and 21-11.
In men's doubles, the Indian duo of Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun cleared their first hurdle. They beat the Malaysian pair of Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin, winning 21-15 and 21-18. These victories add to a promising start for Indian shuttlers at the home tournament.
