Did Lakshya Sen Triumph Over Kenta Nishimoto to Enter QFs? What Happened to Srikanth and Prannoy?
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Synopsis
In an electrifying day at the India Open 2026, former champion Lakshya Sen shone brightly, defeating Kenta Nishimoto and progressing to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the Indian hopes were dashed as both Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy exited the tournament. Discover what led to these thrilling matchups!
Key Takeaways
- Lakshya Sen advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Kenta Nishimoto.
- Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy exited the tournament in the second round.
- The women's challenge ended for India with Malvika Bansod's defeat.
- Sen displayed excellent defensive skills and tactical play.
- The India Open 2026 is a significant event in the BWF World Tour.
New Delhi, Jan 15 (NationPress) Former champion Lakshya Sen showcased his impressive defensive skills and added pace to overcome Japan's Kenta Nishimoto, while Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy fell short in their respective matches during the second round of the India Open 2026 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday.
Sen dispatched Nishimoto with a score of 21-19, 21-11, securing his place in the quarterfinals, while Srikanth suffered a defeat against Christo Popov, the BWF World Tour Finals champion from France, with scores of 21-14, 17-21, 21-17. Prannoy lost to eighth seed Loh Kean Yew of Singapore with scores of 18-21, 21-19, 21-14.
In the women's section of the BWF World Tour Super 750 event, India's challenge ended as fifth-seeded Han Yue from China defeated Malvika Bansod 21-18, 21-15.
Sen faced challenges in the early stages against Nishimoto, trailing at 11-16 in the first game. However, he demonstrated resilience by engaging his opponent in lengthy rallies and delivering remarkable defensive strokes, eventually turning the tide. He clinched the first game on his very first opportunity after winning five consecutive points.
In the second game, Sen capitalized on his growing confidence, varying his pace and seizing every opportunity to attack. He skillfully alternated between half smashes and clever drops, securing his quarterfinal position in just 50 minutes.
“In the opening game, I struggled initially, but then focused on my defense and lifted the shuttle longer, which made a difference,” said Lakshya, who will next face Lin Chun-Yi from Chinese Taipei, who triumphed over Nhat Nguyen of Ireland with scores of 21-16, 21-17.
“In the second game, I mixed my speed to prevent him from finding his rhythm, and it worked,” he added.
In other matches of the day, Prannoy initially won against Loh but was unable to match his opponent's strategic play in the deciding game, leading to his exit. Similarly, Srikanth displayed moments of brilliance against Popov but ultimately couldn't overcome the former World Tour Finals men's singles champion.
Key Results:
Men's Singles: Lakshya Sen bt Kenta Nishimoto (Jpn) 21-19, 21-10; Christo Popov (Fra) bt Kidambi Srikanth 21-14, 17-21, 21-17; Jonatan Christie (Ina) bt Yushi Tanaka (Jpn) 21-15, 21-19; Loh Kean Yew (Sin) bt HS Prannoy 18-21, 21-19, 21-14; Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) bt Lu Guang Zu (Chn) 21-14, 21-16.
Women's Singles: AN Se Young (Kor) bt Huang Yu-Hsun (Tpe) 21-14, 21-9; Ratchnok Intanon (Tha) bt Mia Blichfeldt (Den) 21-16, 21-11; Han Yue (Chn) bt Malvika Bansod 21-18, 21-15; Chen Yu Fei (Chn) bt Busanan Ongbamrungphan (Tha) 21-11, 21-13; Natsuki Nidaira (Jpn) bt Tomoka Miyazaki (Jpn) 21-19, 8-21, 21-16.
Point of View
It is vital to recognize the remarkable performance of Lakshya Sen as he advances in the India Open 2026. His resilience and strategic play highlight India's growing prowess in badminton. However, the exits of Srikanth and Prannoy serve as a reminder of the challenges faced in this highly competitive arena. The future of Indian badminton looks promising, and we stand behind our athletes.
NationPress
15/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the match between Lakshya Sen and Kenta Nishimoto?
Lakshya Sen won against Kenta Nishimoto with scores of 21-19, 21-11.
What were the results of Kidambi Srikanth's match?
Kidambi Srikanth lost to Christo Popov with scores of 21-14, 17-21, 21-17.
Who did HS Prannoy face in the second round?
HS Prannoy faced Loh Kean Yew and lost with scores of 18-21, 21-19, 21-14.
What was the outcome for Malvika Bansod?
Malvika Bansod was defeated by Han Yue from China with scores of 21-18, 21-15.
When and where is the India Open 2026 being held?
The India Open 2026 is being held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
