Lakshya Sen’s BWF World Championships campaign in Paris came to an early end after a hard-fought battle against World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi. The young Indian shuttler displayed grit and determination but ultimately lost in straight games, 17-21, 19-21, at the Adidas Arena on Monday.
Not to be. Lakshya Sen, as expected, bows out in first round. 8th first round exit of the season for Sen:( https://t.co/NnYqzFOEir
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The match, which lasted close to an hour, was a high-intensity affair, with Lakshya keeping pace with the top-ranked Chinese player for most of the contest. However, crucial points at key moments tilted the game in Shi Yu Qi’s favor.
One of the turning points came late in the second game when Lakshya, leading 19-18, hesitated on a crucial shot. Observers felt he should have conceded the point, as the shuttle had already touched the floor before he attempted a lift. The decision backfired, allowing Shi Yu Qi to regain momentum and close out the match with his trademark composure.
Despite the early exit, Lakshya showed flashes of brilliance, pushing one of the sport’s elite players to the limit. The narrow scoreline reflects how close the contest was and highlights Sen’s potential to compete with the very best on the world stage.
With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, the Indian ace will look to regroup quickly, refine his game, and convert these narrow defeats into significant victories in future tournaments.
