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India’s Lakshya Sen. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Seventh seed Sen, who endured a lean patch earlier than rediscovering type with a runner-up end on the Hong Kong Open, misplaced 19-21 21-14 12-21 to sixth seed Nishimoto in a 77-minute battle.
Sen, the 2021 World Championship bronze medallist, got here into the match with a 3-2 head-to-head lead however had misplaced their earlier encounter on the Indonesia Masters earlier this 12 months.
The Commonwealth Games champion recovered from an opening-game setback to power a decider however seemed utterly out of kinds within the third recreation.
In a conflict between two evenly-matched gamers, it was about staying constant within the rallies and drawing out errors. Lakshya managed that early on, shifting to an 8-3 lead, however Nishimoto seized the momentum by taking seven straight factors for a 10-9 benefit. The Japanese participant smashed out as soon as however nonetheless held a slim lead as Sen discovered the web.
Nishimoto’s steep smashes troubled Lakshya as he moved forward 15-13. The Indian pounced on a unfastened web shot to make it 14-15 earlier than producing a criss-cross return to stage the rating. Sen edged forward 17-16 however briefly let it slip with two pictures into the web. A thundering straight smash made it 18-18 earlier than his subsequent try missed the road by a whisker.
A crisp reverse slice drop gave Nishimoto two recreation factors. He despatched one smash extensive earlier than Lakshya netted once more, handing the opening recreation to the Japanese.
Changing ends, Lakshya fell 1-5 behind however slowed the rallies and stitched collectively a run of factors to take an 8-7 lead as Nishimoto started to battle bodily. The Indian claimed eight of the final 9 factors to enter the break with a three-point cushion, ending the run with a pointy cross-court smash.
Both gamers seemed to outmanoeuvre one another and Lakshya maintained his benefit, reaching 16-13 with a mixture of delicate web play, crisp smashes and sturdy defence. With Nishimoto faltering, Sen surged to a 20-14 lead and levelled the match because the Japanese went lengthy.
Back on his most popular facet of the court docket, Nishimoto rediscovered his rhythm with sharp, attacking returns. He moved to 5-2 after Lakshya slipped and despatched the shuttle extensive throughout a defensive reflex dive. A terrific physique smash pushed Nishimoto to 7-3 whilst Lakshya did a full pirouette in an try and retrieve it however couldn’t save the purpose. It turned 9-5 with one other lengthy return from the Indian.
The Japanese confirmed nice tactical consciousness, producing a exact cross-court smash to take a four-point lead on the interval.
On resumption, Lakshya tapped into the web as Nishimoto stretched the result in 14-7 with two extra smashes, celebrating every level with a fist pump. Another physique smash, adopted by an extended shot from Lakshya, took Nishimoto to 17-9.
Sen finally went extensive handy eight match factors to Nishimoto, who sealed his place within the closing with one other clear smash.
Published – November 15, 2025 01:42 pm IST
