Did Lakshya Sen and the Doubles Duo Shine at the Hong Kong Open?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Lakshya Sen ends a six-month wait to reach the quarterfinals.
- Satwik and Chirag continue their impressive form post-World Championships.
- The duo overcame a first-game setback to secure victory.
- Lakshya's resilience highlights his potential for future success.
- India's badminton scene is thriving on international platforms.
Hong Kong, Sep 11 (NationPress) India had a remarkable performance at the Hong Kong Open Super 500 on Thursday, as Lakshya Sen ended a six-month dry spell by advancing to his first BWF World Tour men’s singles quarterfinal since March. In addition, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also secured their spots in the last eight.
Lakshya, who is currently ranked 20th, triumphed over fellow Indian HS Prannoy with scores of 15-21, 21-18, 21-10 in a thrilling comeback. The 23-year-old, who finished in fourth place at the Paris Olympics, faced a challenging season due to injuries and inconsistent performance, with his last notable finishes being semifinal placements at the All England Super 1000 and Macau Open Super 300.
He is set to compete against either Japan’s Kodai Naraoka or compatriot Ayush Shetty in the quarterfinals.
Prannoy started off strong, winning the first game and establishing an early lead in the second. However, Lakshya fought back with precise attacks, equalizing the match after a nail-biting finish. In the final game, Prannoy’s unforced errors increased, allowing Lakshya to surge ahead from 9-13 to clinch the victory convincingly.
Meanwhile, the men’s doubles team of Satwik and Chirag continued their impressive run following their bronze medal win at the World Championships in Paris. The world No. 9 pair faced challenges after losing the first game against Thailand’s Chaloempon Sukphun and Nanthakarn Teeraratsakul.
The Indians regrouped in the second game, taking control after the mid-game break before decisively winning the final game. A fast start of 7-2 in the third game showcased their dominance, as the Thai duo struggled to keep pace.
The Indian pair emerged victorious with scores of 18-21, 21-15, 21-11, a match that lasted over an hour. They will next face Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap in the quarterfinals, aiming to extend their remarkable journey.