Badminton News: Rising Indian men's singles star Lakshya Sen is motivated to play more tournaments this season after clinching the men's singles title at the Indian Open on Sunday.

Lakshya Sen beat world champion Loh Kean Yew 24-22, 21-17 in 54 minutes to win his maiden Super 500 title at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi. The men's singles final brought together two world championship medalists for the fifth time.

“It feels great to win the tournament in India, which is also my first Super 500 title. And now I am motivated to play more tournaments this season,” Lakshya Sen told ANI.

Sen, who won a bronze medal on his World Championships debut last month, was first out of the block by brilliantly controlling the rally and keeping Loh under pressure.

He quickly took a 16-9 lead and although Loh was starting to find his rhythm, the Indian looked in complete control as he held a five-point lead at 19-14. But the world champion was not going to give up that easily and he turned the tables on the Indian by scoring six points in a row to earn a match point. Sen saved two, squandered one but held his nerve to grab the second, and changed course with a distinct advantage.

“When he got a match point, I made sure I didn't make any mistakes and rush to score the point. “I also want to keep the shuttle and play at a fast pace,” he said. -he explains.

Lakshya Sen now has a 3-2 advantage against the Singaporean.

“Before facing Loh Kean, I was only thinking about winning the Indian Open, the head-to-head and everything else comes later,” Sen said before adding: “I had a good pace last season before entering the Indian Open.”

“Results like this motivate you and give you confidence,” said the 20-year-old. Let's talk about this season and the preparations.

“I will target the All England and German Open to get good results. And a few tournaments before the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.”

Talking about the India Open 2022, which is being held this year without spectators at the KD Jadhav Stadium in New Delhi, Sen said: “It was great when I stood on the podium and it would have been better if the crowd was there. “

Article Tag: Lakshya Sen, Loh Kean Yew, India Open 2022