Kumamoto, Japan: Lakshya Sen of India opened his Japan Masters 2025 campaign strong, defeating Japan's Koki Watanabe in straight games in Kumamoto City on Wednesday to advance to the second round of the BWF World Tour Super 500 event.
The seventh seed and world number 15 dominated the 39-minute match, upsetting local favourite and world number 26 Watanabe 21-12, 21-16. Lakshya's crisp court coverage and deft net play made it difficult for his opponent to establish a rhythm.
The 23-year-old Indian will next face the winner of the match between Singapore’s Jia Heng Jason Teh and Canada’s Victor Lai, a World Championships bronze medallist, for a place in the quarterfinals.
While Lakshya impressed, it was a disappointing day for other Indian shuttlers in the men’s singles draw. Kiran George bowed out after losing 20-22, 10-21 to Malaysia’s Jing Hong Kok despite a spirited start in the first game.
Rising star Ayush Shetty too faced a tough challenge, going down 16-21, 11-21 to fourth-seeded Japanese Kodai Naraoka, who dominated the rallies with superior pace and precision.
Later in the day, H.S. Prannoy and Tharun Mannepalli were also scheduled to open their campaigns, as India looked to strengthen its presence in the men’s singles bracket.
In mixed doubles, the Indian pair of Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde put up a valiant fight before narrowly missing out on a second-round berth. The duo saved four match points but eventually went down 12-21, 21-19, 20-22 against the American team of Presley Smith and Jennie Gai in a thrilling 56-minute contest.
India will have no competitors in the men’s doubles section with Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy pulling out from the tournament. The combination of Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde is the country’s only challenge in the mixed doubles category.