Lakshya Sen’s Campaign Cut Short In Paris
India’s Lakshya Sen bowed out in the opening round of the BWF World Championships 2025 in Paris, losing a hard-fought encounter against reigning world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China. The match ended 17-21, 19-21 in just under an hour, marking another early exit in what has been a difficult season for the 23-year-old.
Battle Of Long Rallies
Despite the straight-game loss, Sen put up a spirited fight. The contest was marked by grueling exchanges, including a spectacular 52-shot rally that drew applause from the Paris crowd. Sen matched the Chinese top seed point for point in patches, even leveling the second game at 19-all before Shi’s composure under pressure saw him close out the match.
Shi Yu Qi Shows His Class
Shi Yu Qi’s tactical precision and ability to dominate crucial rallies proved decisive. The Chinese star extended his head-to-head lead over Sen to 4-1, underlining his consistency at the top level and reinforcing his status as one of the favorites to claim the world title this year.
A Season Of Struggles For Sen
For Sen, the defeat continues a troubling trend. This was his ninth first-round exit of the season, with only a semi-final finish at the Macau Open and a quarter-final run at the All England Open standing out as positives in 2025. His inability to string together consistent performances has left Indian badminton fans concerned about his trajectory.
Paris Brings Back Painful Memories
The loss also carries symbolic weight, as Paris was the stage where Sen narrowly missed an Olympic medal in 2024. While his performance against Shi showed glimpses of brilliance, it also highlighted the gap he needs to bridge to challenge the very best in the sport.
Looking Ahead
With the World Championships cut short, Sen will now turn his attention to upcoming BWF Tour events, where he will look to reset and rediscover the aggressive, fearless play that once made him India’s brightest badminton prospect.
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