New Delhi: Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lakshya Sen began his India Open campaign on a commanding note, easing past fellow Indian Ayush Shetty in straight games to advance to the second round. The top Indian shuttler registered a 21-12, 21-15 victory, underlining his status as one of the tournament favourites.
Lakshya entered the contest with confidence, having won both of his previous meetings against Ayush on the international circuit. That experience showed early, as he raced to a 7-1 lead in the opening game. His sharp shot selection, quick movement and ability to dictate rallies left his younger opponent struggling to find rhythm. Lakshya maintained control throughout the first game and wrapped it up comfortably.
The second game proved more competitive, with Ayush showing improved composure and matching Lakshya point for point in the early exchanges. The contest remained tight until the mid-game interval, where Ayush held a narrow 11-10 advantage. However, Lakshya raised his intensity after the break, tightening his defence and capitalising on key moments to pull away. He denied Ayush any real opening to mount a comeback and closed out the match in just over 40 minutes.
The match marked Lakshya’s first competitive outing at the newly designated venue, which is set to host the BWF World Championships later this year. Reflecting on the conditions, Lakshya admitted that adapting to the arena posed an early challenge. He noted that while the hall appeared large and was expected to slow the shuttle, the pace was quicker than anticipated, with noticeable sideways drift. Despite this, he emphasised the importance of adjusting swiftly in opening-round matches and expressed confidence that conditions would become easier to read as the tournament progresses.
Ayush, meanwhile, acknowledged Lakshya’s strong start and admitted conceding an early lead proved costly. He also pointed out that the shuttle speed was noticeably faster than in practice sessions, making it harder to settle into the game.
Lakshya will next face Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in the second round, with their head-to-head record currently level at three wins apiece. Their most recent meeting saw Nishimoto emerge victorious in a hard-fought three-game encounter, setting the stage for a closely watched clash.
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