Top Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen's campaign at the BWF World Championships came to an early end on Monday after a hard-fought, straight-games defeat to world number one Shi Yu Qi of China. The 2021 bronze medallist went down 21-17, 21-19 in a tense 54-minute battle in Paris, unable to overcome the top seed despite showing flashes of his trademark attacking brilliance.
In his post-match comments, Sen acknowledged that he failed to convert crucial chances, especially in the tight second game. "I had my chances but I was playing catch up. In the second especially it was close," Sen told the BWF. "I had to be patient most of the time but in the closing stages I tried to up the pace. I could’ve done better." He also admitted to having "tough memories" from his fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics last year, which created some initial doubts.
While Sen's defensive skills kept him in the contest, his overall strategy proved predictable against the Chinese star. He frequently attempted to blitz his way out of trouble with a single, high-paced tempo rather than varying his shots and controlling the rhythm of the rallies. This aggressive but one-dimensional approach played into the hands of Shi Yu Qi, who weathered the storms and capitalized on Sen's errors in the closing stages of both games.
Sen mounted a spirited comeback in the second game, closing the gap to 18-19 with some explosive net play. However, the match reached a controversial climax when Sen won a point by returning a shuttle that replays showed had clearly bounced. The incorrect call left Shi Yu Qi livid, and the fired-up world number one responded by taking the next two points with ferocious intensity to seal the match.
This second disappointing result in Paris for Sen, following his Olympic heartbreak, raises questions about his career trajectory. The first-round exit highlights the need for a tactical shakeup for the 24-year-old to consistently challenge and defeat the world's top players. While his fighting spirit was evident, this loss underscores the adjustments required to turn promise back into podium finishes.