Indian badminton star
Sen enters the final in exceptional form, having recently claimed the Hylo Open title. His momentum continued in Japan, where he navigated a challenging three-game semi-final victory against world No. 10 Alwi Farhan. A win in this final would mark a historic milestone as the first-ever victory for an Indian player at this specific tournament.
The Tactical Battle and Road to the Final
The final promises a clash of contrasting styles, pitting Sen’s aggressive, power-hitting game against the resilient defensive capabilities of Watanabe. The Japanese player enters the match with significant momentum, having delighted the home crowd by eliminating the tournament's second seed, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, in a hard-fought semi-final encounter.
While Sen holds a 4-3 advantage in their overall head-to-head record, the recent history between the two favors the Japanese shuttler. Watanabe has emerged victorious in both of their encounters throughout the 2026 season, setting the stage for a compelling tactical battle. Currently ranked eighth in the qualification standings, Watanabe will be looking to leverage strong home support to overcome the in-form Indian challenger.
Viewing Details for the Final
The finals session at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium is scheduled to commence at 7:30 AM IST. Fans can expect the men's singles final between Sen and Watanabe to be the second match of the day, with an estimated start time of approximately 8:20 AM IST.
For viewers in India, the match will not be broadcast on traditional television channels. However, live streaming coverage will be available exclusively through the FanCode platform, allowing fans to follow the action as it unfolds in Japan.
