- Lakshya Sen won Japan Open men’s singles title.
- Sen overcame Watanabe in tough three-game comeback.
- This is Sen’s second consecutive Super 500 tournament victory.
Lakshya Sen continued his remarkable run on the badminton circuit by lifting the Kumamoto Masters Japan Open men’s singles crown. The Indian shuttler battled past home favourite Koki Watanabe in a three-game final, winning 13-21, 21-18, 21-14 to become the first Indian to claim this Super 500 title. The victory marked Sen’s second consecutive tournament triumph, coming shortly after his success at the Hylo Open in Germany. It also capped another impressive week for the Indian, who showed resilience after being pushed onto the back foot in the opening game.
Sen Turns The Final Around After Slow Start
Watanabe made the most of home support and took the first game 21-13, putting Sen under immediate pressure.
The Indian, however, responded strongly in the second game. He stayed in the contest, raised his level at the crucial moments and edged it 21-18 to force a decider.
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With the match finely poised, Sen took control in the third game. He dictated the rallies and steadily pulled away from the Japanese shuttler, eventually sealing the game 21-14.
The final lasted one hour and four minutes, with Sen completing a memorable comeback.
9,200 Points Boost Sen’s Season
The Japan title brings more than another trophy for the Indian badminton star.
Sen collected 9,200 ranking points from the tournament, giving his position in the season-ending race a significant lift.
The world No. 13 has been building momentum with consecutive final appearances and back-to-back titles.
His latest success is expected to strengthen his push up the BWF World Tour standings, where he is targeting a move from 12th to sixth.
That climb could also improve his prospects of securing a place at the prestigious BWF World Tour Finals.
With the Hylo Open and Japan Masters titles now in his collection, Sen has given himself a strong finish to the season.
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