Another year and another miss. In the All England Badminton Championships quarterfinals on Friday, India’s lone hope in men’s singles, Lakshya Sen loses against China’s Li Shi Feng to exit from the tournament. This comes as a shocker, because earlier, in the round of 16, he delivered an impressive performance by beating defending champion Jonathan Christie in straight games. The 2022 All England finalist, Lakshya, entered the match with confidence but found himself falling behind early on.
Losing the first game badly
The first game started with Lakshya looking to continue his winning form. Initially, he played with aggression, showcasing his attacking skills. However, Li Shi Feng quickly found his rhythm. The Chinese player mixed up his shots, catching Lakshya off balance. Lakshya’s attempts to control the game from the net fell short, and his errors grew. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t get past Li’s solid defence and accurate placement, which resulted in a 10-21 loss for Lakshya in the first game.
No comeback in the second game
In the second game, Lakshya showed glimpses of a comeback. He started using his net play more effectively and engaged in long rallies. At one point, he took a slight lead, which signalled the possibility of a turnaround. However, Li Shi Feng maintained pressure with tactical variations, catching Lakshya out of position. The Indian shuttler fought hard to keep the pace but struggled to capitalise on crucial points. As the game progressed, Li Shi Feng led to a tight 16-21 finish, clinching the match.
The wait continues
The turning point of the match came during the second game when Lakshya was gaining momentum and had taken a small lead. Li Shi Feng’s ability to mix up the speed and placement of his shots disturbed Lakshya’s rhythm. Now the 24-year drought of a title in the All England Open continues, as all the players from men’s singles, women’s singles, and men’s doubles are out of the tournament. In women’s doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand are giving a challenge.
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