Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen's campaign at the inaugural King Cup International Badminton Open came to an end in the semifinals on Saturday.
The 23-year-old from Almora faced a tough opponent in China's reigning world junior champion, Hu Zhe'an, losing in straight games 19-21, 19-21.
The match was a closely fought contest, with both players displaying exceptional skill and determination. In the first game, Hu gained a narrow one-point lead at the mid-game interval after Lakshya's backhand found the net. The 18-year-old Chinese player, who debuted internationally in 2022, maintained his composure and took the opening game when Lakshya’s shot went wide.
The second game followed a similar trajectory, with the scores level at 6-6 before Hu edged ahead to 12-10. Despite trailing, Lakshya staged a comeback and led 19-16. However, Hu’s strategic combination of powerful smashes and precise drop shots allowed him to win five consecutive points, securing his place in the final.
Lakshya entered the King Cup on the back of a strong performance at the Syed Modi International Super 300, where he claimed the title earlier this month. In the King Cup quarterfinals, he had overcome Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long to reach the final four.
The King Cup International, hosted by badminton legend and two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan of China, featured a prize pool of approximately USD 152,000. Although Lakshya's journey ended in the semifinals, his spirited performance underscored his growing stature in international badminton.