Indonesia Open 2024: Lakshya Sen out in quarterfinals; India's challenge over

Published at :June 8, 2024 at 2:12 AM

Modified at :June 8, 2024 at 2:12 AM

(Courtesy : Badminton Photo/BAI)

Lakshya Sen went down in straight games against World No. 5 Anders Antonsen.

India’s campaign at the Indonesia Open 2024 came to an end following Lakshya Sen’s quarter-final exit from the BWF 1000 tournament in Jakarta on Friday. Sen, who reached the All England Open semifinals earlier this season, went down in straight games against Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, 22-24, 18-21.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games champion lost to the World No. 5 in 61 minutes. Lakshya Sen is currently ranked 14th in the BWF World Rankings and is the second-highest ranked Indian after HS Prannoy (#10).

In the opening game, Anders started things on a positive note as Lakshya hit all three shuttles wide and seemed under pressure. However, he kept his calm and soon took a lead of three points at 8-5. At the interval, Lakshya led by a mere one-point (11-10). After the interval, Anders took the momentum and went on to take the lead by winning four consecutive points.

Lakshya, however, didn’t panic and quickly closed down the deficit and took a two-point lead. The Indian then had a two-game point opportunity at 20-18 but failed to score. Anders soon levelled and hence extra points were required to decide the winner.

The ending of the first game was quite fierce as Lakshya once again had an opportunity to convert when he had a third game-point opportunity at 22-21. But the 22-year-old failed again, and this time Anders took the opportunity and won the next three points to take the opening game.

After losing the opening game the pressure was on Lakshya, who is still chasing his first BWF title since the 2023 Canada Open. He started well leading 7-2 at one point but couldn’t hold the lead as Anders once again won five consecutive points to level the game at 7-7. Lakshya once again led at the interval and this time by three points (11-8). However, he failed to capitalise and extend his lead, succumbing to the pressure.

The Danish opponent was guilty of time wasting and delaying tactics to shift the momentum and he did succeed going from trailing 14-16 to leading by three points at 19-16 after winning five consecutive points. However, Lakshya took the next two points to keep himself alive. However, Anders kept his calm and went on the win the game 21-18 and ultimately the match.

Despite losing, Lakshya played well and his defence and net play were superb to watch. However, his defeat in the quarterfinals ended India’s challenge in the BWF 1000 level tournament.

Earlier, India’s top ranked shuttlers PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy were knocked out from the first round while Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand as well as Tanisha Crasto/Ashwini Ponnappa were eliminated in the second round.

Lakshya’s Journey at Indonesia Open 2024

Round of 32 – defeated Kanta Tsuneyama (21-12, 21-17)

Round of 16 – defeated Kenta Nishimoto (21-9, 21-15)

Quarterfinals – lost to Anders Antonsen (22-24, 18-21)

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Indonesia Open 2024: Lakshya Sen out in quarterfinals; India's challenge over

Lakshya Sen went down in straight games against World No. 5 Anders Antonsen.

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Lakshya’s Journey at Indonesia Open 2024