India’s star shuttler Lakshya Sen continues his impressive run on the international circuit, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2025 with a commanding win over Singapore’s Jia Heng Jason Teh.
The seventh seed dismantled his opponent in straight games, 21-13, 21-11, wrapping up the contest in just 39 minutes.
This victory marked Sen’s fourth consecutive win over Teh, reaffirming his dominance in their head-to-head record. The 23-year-old from Almora looked in complete control throughout, showcasing his trademark composure and precision. Teh briefly led 10-9 in the opening game, but Sen quickly shifted gears to reclaim control, going into the mid-game interval with a slender lead. At 14-13, the match appeared evenly poised, but Sen unleashed a flurry of sharp smashes and quick exchanges to claim seven straight points, sealing the first game 21-13.
The second game saw Sen elevate his play even further. He opened with a blistering 5-0 start, piling early pressure on Teh, and extended the advantage to 11-3 at the interval. From there, it was one-way traffic as Sen dictated the pace with well-timed winners and disciplined shot selection, ultimately closing out the match 21-11.
Sen, currently ranked world No.15, will next face former world champion Loh Kean Yew, also from Singapore, in the quarterfinals. With momentum on his side, the young Indian will look to continue his fine form and secure a deep run in Japan.
Meanwhile, in a disappointing result for India, HS Prannoy crashed out of the tournament after losing to Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke. Despite showing promise in the opening game, Prannoy couldn’t maintain his rhythm and succumbed 18-21, 15-21 in 46 minutes.
Sen’s progress and Prannoy’s exit summed up a mixed day for Indian badminton in Kumamoto.