While Sen faced an early exit, the day proved more successful for
Sen Struggles as Lai Dominates
The match between Sen and Lai saw the Canadian world No. 9 assert his authority after an initial surge from the Indian. Although Sen managed to establish a 4-0 lead early in the opening game, Lai quickly neutralised the advantage. The Canadian’s resolute defence proved difficult to break, forcing Sen into a series of unforced errors, particularly around the backhand sideline.
As the match progressed, Sen’s frustration became increasingly evident. After dropping the first game 14-21, he struggled to regain momentum in the second. Trailing 4-11 at the interval, Sen was unable to mount a meaningful comeback, eventually conceding the second game 7-21. This result marks Sen’s third defeat to Lai, with his only victory over the Canadian coming at the All England Championships earlier this March.
Positive Results for Srikanth and Doubles Pair
In contrast to Sen’s difficult outing, Kidambi Srikanth delivered a clinical performance to overcome Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei. Srikanth controlled the proceedings throughout the encounter, securing a 21-16, 21-15 victory to book his spot in the next round. The win provides a much-needed boost for the experienced campaigner.
The Indian contingent also saw success in the mixed doubles category. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto dominated their opening match against Thailand’s Tonnakorn Saeheng and Tonnicha Saeheng, recording a comprehensive 21-8, 21-9 win. The tournament continues with further Indian representation, including the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, alongside women’s singles competitors Tanvi Sharma and Devika Sihag, all scheduled to take the court later in the day.
