New Delhi: Indian badminton suffered yet another low after star shuttler Lakshya Sen was knocked out of the
Indonesia Masters Super 500 second round on Thursday. Sen, who was hoping to get his season back on track after recent disappointment at home in the India Open, slumped to a narrow loss against world number 15 Kenta Nishimoto of Japan 16-21, 21-12, 21-23.
Despite a slow start in Game 1 and a roaring comeback in the decider, Sen was left heartbroken by yet another early exit. In a brutal deciding game, Lakshya fought hard in what was possibly his best performance since the Paris 2024 Olympics but two service return errors at 16-16 proved costly in the end for the Indian.
India’s challenge ends in Jakarta
Sen’s exit ended India’s challenge in the singles in Jakarta. On Wednesday, two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu was eliminated in the first round.
Sen was coming on the back of a below-par performance in the India Open in Delhi where he crashed out in the round of 32.
World number 12 Sindhu lost to world number 32 Nguyen Thuy Linh of Vietnam 22-20, 21-12 in 37 minutes despite holding a 20-14 advantage in the first game.
Sen follows Sindhu back home
Linh took advantage of Sindhu’s inability to close out the match and stage a remarkable comeback to snatch the first game with eight straight points. He carried the momentum in the second game and raced to an 11-5 lead before wrapping out the match in straight games, claiming her first win over the Indian in three meetings.
While Sindhu was knocked out on the opening day, Sen, ranked 10, advanced to the Round of 16 of the men’s singles after beating Japan’s world number 37 Takuma Obayashi 21-9, 21-14 in Round 1 on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila progressed to the mixed doubles round of 16.
Indonesia Open: Indian challenge in Jakarta ends after Lakshya Sen crashes out in the Round of 16 clash against world number 15 Kenta Nishimoto 16-21, 21-12, 21-23. Badminton Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
