Lakshya Sen Clinches Second BWF Super 500 Title at Canada Open

Calgary: Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen showcased a stunning performance to secure his second BWF Super 500 title at the Canada Open. The 21-year-old defeated China’s Li Shi Feng in a thrilling final, displaying a combination of speed and power to emerge victorious with a straight-game win of 21-18, 22-20. This triumph comes as a significant confidence boost for Sen, especially after a challenging Olympic qualification year. Sen expressed his delight, acknowledging the importance of adapting to different conditions throughout the tournament.

This victory marks Sen’s first title since his gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games in August of the previous year. He becomes the second Indian singles player to claim a title in 2023, following HS Prannoy’s success at the Malaysia Masters in May. Sen’s resilience was on full display during the final as he saved four game points in the second game, ultimately converting his first championship point with a powerful smash. The win was met with a mixture of relief and joy as Sen collapsed on the ground.

Reflecting on his performance, Sen described it as an incredible week, attributing his progress to adjusting to the tournament’s conditions and implementing a solid tactical game. Despite facing a continuous deficit in the second game, Sen remained patient and focused on closing the gap. The victory against Li Shi Feng extends Sen’s winning record against the Chinese player to five wins out of seven meetings.

Following a challenging start to the season that resulted in a drop to world No. 19, Sen’s triumph at the Canada Open is a much-needed boost. He underwent nose surgery for a deviated septum after the 2021 World Championships, which required considerable recovery time. In the final, Sen displayed superior control and temperament, combining tight net play with an array of powerful smashes to trouble his opponent.

Both Sen and Li delivered an exhilarating high-speed game, featuring impressive jump smashes. While Li recorded two smashes at a speed of 390 kmph, Sen countered with a couple of thunderbolts at 400 kmph. Sen secured the first game by capitalizing on his opponent’s unforced errors and finished it off with a trademark straight smash.

The second game witnessed a fierce battle between the players, with Li initially taking a four-point lead into the break. However, Sen showcased his resilience, staging a comeback by delivering well-executed smashes and precise returns. The game ended with Sen sealing the victory with a powerful smash, highlighting his dominance at the net throughout the match.

Sen acknowledged the challenge posed by Li and expressed satisfaction with his own performance, particularly in terms of net control and winning crucial points. The Canada Open is part of the BWF World Tour, with different levels of tournaments offering ranking points. Sen’s win in the Super 500 category adds another significant achievement to his budding career.