Kenta Nishimoto Defeats Lakshya Sen in Japan Masters Semifinal

Post by : Mara Rahim

In a thrilling matchup at the Japan Masters, Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen was edged out by local athlete Kenta Nishimoto, concluding his run in this BWF World Tour Super 500 event. The semifinals took place on Saturday in Kumamoto City, lasting an intense one hour and 17 minutes and finishing with a score of 19-21, 21-14, 12-21 favoring Nishimoto, currently ranked World No. 13.

The opening game featured a fierce battle. Lakshya surged ahead early, securing an 8-3 lead. Nishimoto rallied back impressively, scoring seven straight points to take a lead of 10-9. Nishimoto's aggressive smashes unsettled Lakshya, who tried to regain ground. As they drew level at 18-18, a key drop shot allowed Nishimoto to clinch two game points, with Lakshya's subsequent errors resulting in a 19-21 loss.

In the second game, Lakshya began sluggishly, falling behind at 1-5. However, he persevered, strategically slowing down the pace of the rallies and winning eight out of the last nine points before the break. Combining delicate net plays with powerful smashes, Lakshya raced to a 20-14 lead before taking the game 21-14 and leveling the contest.

In the deciding game, Nishimoto swiftly regained dominance, leading 5-2 with sharp attacking returns and effective body smashes. Despite Lakshya’s attempts to defend and pivot, Nishimoto maintained his advantage. The Japanese player entered the interval ahead at 14-7 and pushed further to a commanding 17-9 lead. Lakshya's errors during critical moments allowed Nishimoto to convert on eight match points, winning the third game 21-12.

This match underscored Nishimoto’s tactical insight, endurance, and exceptional smashing technique, while Lakshya's resilience shined through in his second-game performance, despite the inconsistency in the final game. It was a captivating clash filled with lengthy rallies and swift movements, captivating those in attendance throughout the match's duration.

Thanks to this victory, Nishimoto moves on to the Japan Masters final, where he'll face either compatriot Kodai Naraoka or Wang Tzu Wei from Chinese Taipei. On the other hand, Lakshya Sen will need to regroup following this setback as he aims to build on his experiences in the BWF World Tour moving forward.

Even though he faced defeat, Lakshya Sen exhibited significant skill and tenacity. He remains one of the leading figures on the circuit, with this semifinal appearance providing essential experience that could fuel future successes in the BWF.