Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen delivered an impressive performance at the Kumamoto Japan Masters Super 500 tournament on Friday, defeating former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in straight games to secure his spot in the semifinals.
Dominant Victory in 40 Minutes
The match lasted exactly 40 minutes and ended with a convincing 21-13, 21-17 victory for the Indian shuttler. This marks another significant achievement for Sen in what has been a season of mixed results, showing his return to form during the second half of the year when he has maintained better fitness levels.
The first game saw Lakshya take control after an evenly matched start. He put together an impressive run of six consecutive points and eventually won 9 out of 10 points to build a commanding 18-9 lead from what was previously an 8-9 scoreline. Though Loh attempted a late comeback, it proved insufficient against Lakshya's dominance.
Thrilling Second Game Showcases Elite Skills
The second game provided spectators with the fireworks expected from two of the tour's most entertaining men's singles players. The match featured several marathon rallies, including a 41-shot exchange early in the second game that Loh won to establish his presence.
Lakshya responded strongly, putting together eight straight points around the interval to take a 15-9 lead. However, the Singaporean third seed wasn't ready to concede, capitalizing on two moments of indecision from Lakshya in his deep backhand corner to close the gap to 13-16.
Critical Moments Decide the Match
The tension peaked when Loh narrowed the gap to 17-18, bringing the second game finish line within reach. Then came what many are calling the rally of the match - a marathon 42-shot exchange, the longest of the encounter.
At this crucial moment, with the opportunity to level the score, Loh made consecutive errors in his line judgment. After getting away with the first misjudgment, he wasn't as fortunate the second time, eventually hitting the shuttle into the net. The frustration was visible as the Singaporean let out a roar of disappointment, while his coach Kim Ji Hyun appeared equally surprised by the outcome.
Lakshya seized this lifeline, winning the next point with an audible "Yes!" to reach 20-17, and closed out the match with a powerful jump smash that showcased his trademark attacking prowess.
Historical Context and Player Comparison
Both players have notable histories at the World Championships. Loh Kean Yew famously won gold at the 2021 World Championships in Huelva, where his speed earned high praise from former Denmark player HK Vittinghus, who remarked that badminton had three speed levels: "Fast, Ginting fast, and Loh Kean Yew fast!"
That same year, Lakshya Sen also had his best World Championships performance, winning a bronze medal. Though his world rankings have slipped since then, this victory demonstrates that when at his best, the Indian shuttler can compete with the world's elite.
Both players share similar strengths, including remarkable retrieval skills, explosive speed in recovery, excellence at the net, and potent jump smashes. Their games match up evenly, making Lakshya's straight-games victory particularly impressive.
This performance signals a positive turn for Lakshya Sen in a season that has seen inconsistent results. His ability to maintain fitness and deliver against top-tier competition like former world champion Loh Kean Yew suggests promising prospects for the remainder of the tournament and beyond.
