NEW DELHI: In a thrilling showdown at the Canada Open 2023 badminton men's singles championship, Lakshya Sen of India secured a remarkable triumph over Li Shi Feng from the Republic of China. The intense battle unfolded in Calgary on a mesmerizing Sunday.
Lakshya Sen, positioned 19th in the badminton rankings, displayed remarkable prowess as he outplayed Li Shi Feng, the reigning All England champion, with a gripping score of 21-18, 22-20. With this awe-inspiring victory, Lakshya Sen claimed his inaugural title of the year. Notably, it was his second BWF Super 500 title, following his triumphant journey at the India Open in January last year.
Previously hailed as the Commonwealth Games champion in August 2022, the 21-year-old Lakshya Sen faced a setback after undergoing nose surgery late last year. As a consequence, his performance suffered, leading to a decline in rankings from a career-best No. 6 in December to No. 25 in March.
The match against the 10th-ranked Li Shi Feng marked an impressive return for the Indian badminton prodigy to the BWF World Tour final. It was his first appearance since the All England Championships last year, where he experienced defeat at the hands of Victor Axelsen. Notably, Lakshya Sen showcased his remarkable skills in the 12 BWF tournaments of the 2023 badminton season.
Taking center stage on the badminton courts of the esteemed Markin MacPhail Centre, Lakshya Sen initiated the match with a burst of brilliance. His precision-laden cross-court smashes, coupled with an exceptional display at the net, propelled him to a commanding 6-2 lead early in the first game.
Despite Li Shi Feng's resolute efforts, Lakshya Sen maintained his dominance and countered the opposing player's advances. In a remarkable display of skill, Sen unleashed a barrage of powerful smashes, securing three consecutive points and ultimately closing the first game in his favor.
As the exhilarating contest progressed to the second game, both competitors engaged in captivating rallies. Li Shi Feng showcased his clinical finesse at the net, garnering a noteworthy 10-6 advantage at one stage. The match hung in the balance as Li Shi Feng maintained a four-point lead at 20-16, hinting at an imminent decider.
However, Lakshya Sen summoned his inner strength and unleashed a flurry of commanding smashes, saving four game points in a breathtaking display of resilience. Remarkably, Sen scored six consecutive points, thus solidifying his triumph in the intense 50-minute affair. With this victory, Lakshya Sen now boasts an impressive five wins over Li Shi Feng in their seven meetings.
In the women's singles semi-finals, PV Sindhu faced elimination following her defeat against the eventual champion, Akane Yamaguchi of Japan, on Saturday.
The Indian badminton fraternity has been in sensational form this year, securing five BWF World Tour titles. Priyanshu Rajawat emerged victorious at the Orleans Masters in April, followed by HS Prannoy's triumph at the Malaysia Masters in May. Furthermore, the dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty claimed the Swiss Open in March and the Indonesia Open in June.
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