Lakshya Sen from India secured third place at the King Cup International Badminton Open on Sunday by defeating French player Alex Lanier in straight games.
The 23-year-old earned a prize of approximately ₹36 lakh.
Sen’s semifinal match was a closely contested encounter against China’s Hu Zhe’an, the reigning world junior champion. He lost narrowly, 19-21, 19-21.
In the third-place playoff, Sen started strongly, leading 6-1. Lanier rallied to level the score at 10-10 and briefly took the lead before the interval.
Sen regained control, moving ahead 18-15. He then earned three game points, with Lanier hitting wide on the final point to concede the first game.
The second game saw Sen maintain his momentum. He built an 8-6 lead, quickly extending it to 15-8.
Sen soon held nine match points, and Lanier’s long shot sealed the victory for Sen.
Lakshya Sen demonstrated a commanding performance throughout the match. His win against the rising French star solidified his position in the tournament.
The King Cup International Badminton Open marked its inaugural year. Sen’s performance highlights his continued presence on the international badminton stage.
The young Indian player’s strong finish in the tournament suggests a promising future. He gained valuable experience against top-tier competition.
Sen’s journey to the third-place playoff included a hard-fought semifinal match. This experience likely contributed to his focused play in the final match.
Despite the semifinal loss, Sen showed resilience by bouncing back to claim a decisive victory and secure a podium finish.
