By Sunita D
Indian ace Lakshya Sen lost to Chinese shuttler Li Shi Feng in the final of the men’s singles badminton event at the Hong Kong Open on September 14, giving China a clean sweep of the tournament. In a match that lasted for over forty-five minutes, Feng defeated the Indian 21-15, 21-12, making China the first nation in the open era to win every event in a tournament.
Lakshay Sen, who has been playing well all tournament, got off to a strong start in the championship game. Both players scored points during the first game’s opening exchanges, which were evenly contested. Sen took nine points early on, but Li changed tactics right thereafter. With rapid smashes and accurate placements, the Chinese shuttler increased the tempo and quickly won the opening game with ease.
Sen had a chance in the second game after he started out strong and gained the lead right away. But at crucial times, his lift shot control lapsed, letting Li rally to 4-4. From there, the Chinese shuttler strengthened his hold, applying constant pressure and severe angles to make Sen make mistakes.
Sen, who has made consistent progress on the circuit and continues to compete for the elusive Super 500 crown, would be stung by the defeat. Although he showed flexibility and a strong will to succeed, Li was more adept at execution and more decisive in grabbing opportunities that day.
Nonetheless, a run to the final in Hong Kong after a challenging few weeks in which Sen exited the World Championships in the first round would improve his confidence for the remainder of the season. The encounter adds yet another chapter to Sen’s learning curve as he continues to work toward overcoming his Super 500 title drought.