Japan Masters 2024: PV Sindhu makes winning start, Lakshya Sen leaves early

Top shuttler PV Sindhu started her campaign in the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2024 with a resounding victory in the women’s singles. The two-time Olympic medalist defeated eighth seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand 21-12, 21-8 in just 38 minutes in the Round of 32 on Wednesday, November 13.

Sindhu started on the back foot and trailed 5-7 in the opening match. However, the Indian shuttler recovered to 11-9 at the break. Sindhu never looked back as she won 11 of the next 13 points played.

Sindhu exuded confidence in the second game. She never let Busanan take the lead in the second game, racing to an 11-7 lead and then winning the next 11 of the 12 points played.

The victory in the opening round of the Super 500 tournament will boost Sindhu’s confidence. Since her early exit from the Paris Olympics, Sindhu competed in the Arctic Open where she was ousted in the opening round. However, she reached the quarterfinals of the Denmark Open Super 750 in October.

The Indian shuttler, who is not in contention to reach the tour finals, will be hoping to end the season on a strong note. Only recently, SIndhu had spoken about her aspirations to play at the Los Angeles Olympics, which highlighted her motivation and desire.

LAKSHYA SEN LEAVES

Earlier on Tuesday it was India women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand lost in the opening round.

On the other hand, there was bad news for India in men’s singles. Lakshya Sen lost in the first round to unseeded Leong Jun Hao of Japan. It was a heartbreaking defeat for the young shuttler as he won the opening match before losing steam in the next two matches. Lakshya lost 22-20, 17-21, 16-21 in a match that lasted an hour and 14 minutes.

Lakshya’s form late in the season is a concern. Since losing the bronze medal match at the Olympics to Lee Zii Jia, Lakshya exited the Arctic Open in the second round and the Denmark Open in the first round.