Sen outplays Loh Kean Yew, reaches Japan Masters semifinals

Top Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen was placed in the semifinals of the USD 475,000 Kumamoto Masters Japan after a clinical straight-game win was registered over former world champion Loh Kean Yew in Kumamoto on Friday.

The seventh-seeded Indian, who won gold at the Commonwealth Games, was seen producing a composed and high-quality performance as Loh was outplayed 21-13, 21-17 in a 40-minute quarterfinal. Through this result, Sen’s dominance over the Singaporean was extended, with a seventh win in ten career meetings being secured.

Sen, currently ranked world No. 15, has been in consistent form this season. A runner-up finish was achieved by him at the Hong Kong Open in September, and his advance to the final four in Japan has further strengthened his recent run.

The BWF World Tour Super 500 event, which carries a total sponsorship and prize purse of USD 475,000, has seen strong competition this year, and Sen’s performance has been regarded as one of the notable displays of the tournament.

In the semifinals, Sen will be faced with Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto, the sixth seed and world No. 13. The match is scheduled to be played today at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium in Kumamoto, Japan. A challenging contest is expected, as Nishimoto will be supported by the home crowd while Sen will aim for his second major final appearance of the year.