Hong Kong Open 2025: Lakshya Sen falls short against Li Shi Feng, finishes runner-up

Satwik-Chirag also lost their men’s doubles title match earlier in the day.

India’s hopes of a title at the Hong Kong Open 2025 ended in disappointment as both Lakshya Sen and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty fell at the final hurdle.

Lakshya, contesting his first final since the Syed Modi Super 300 last year, went down 15-21, 12-21 to long-time rival Li Shi Feng of China.

The Indian began brightly, racing to a 4-0 lead in the opening game, but Li quickly asserted control at the net and forced Lakshya into a flurry of errors.

ALSO READ: Hong Kong Open 2025: Satwik-Chirag finish as runners-up in first final of the season

From there, the Chinese shuttler dictated the rhythm with precise placements and a powerful smash that Lakshya Sen struggled to contain.

The second game followed a similar pattern. Though Lakshya produced moments of brilliance, including a 33-shot rally that he sealed with a deft crosscourt block, the lack of consistency and unforced errors cost him dearly.

Li closed out the contest in just over 40 minutes, extending his dominant run against the Indian.

Lakshya had a narrow 7-6 head-to-head lead going into the contest, but this defeat allowed the Chinese to level their rivalry at 7-7 in head-to-head.

For Lakshya, the result is another reminder of the gaps he needs to bridge to return to the top tier of men’s singles.

After an early exit at the BWF World Championships last month, this run to the final does signal progress, but his inability to sustain pressure against Li highlighted areas that demand urgent attention, particularly his shot selection under pressure and control in drift-heavy conditions.

Earlier in the day, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also finished as runners-up, losing 21-19, 14-21, 17-21 to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in a 62-minute men’s doubles battle.

The Indians started strong, taking the opening game, but the Chinese pair turned the tide with relentless pace and sharper mid-court exchanges.

Despite the defeats, India’s campaign at the Hong Kong Open showcased encouraging signs. Lakshya’s victories over Wang Tzu Wei, HS Prannoy, Ayush Shetty, and World No. 6 Chou Tien Chen en route to the final reaffirm his potential.

Yet, the glaring inconsistency at the finishing line means the 24-year-old will need a decisive course correction if he is to convert promise into major titles.

With Li Shi Feng’s victory, China completed a clean sweep at the Hong Kong Open 2025, clinching titles across all five categories.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram