In the semifinal match of the Japan Open 2023, Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen, ranked 13th in the world, faced a tough challenge against Jonatan Christie. Ultimately, Lakshya lost the thrilling encounter with a scoreline of 15-21, 21-13, 16-21 at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, leading to his exit from the BWF Super 750 tournament. Unfortunately, his defeat also marked the end of India’s participation in the Japan Open.
This defeat was Lakshya Sen’s second consecutive semifinal exit, as he had previously experienced a similar outcome at the US Open, where he couldn’t progress beyond the top four stage.
In the first game, both players engaged in quick and short rallies, with Lakshya holding a two-point advantage going into the first break. However, Christie, the fifth seed from Indonesia, elevated his performance significantly after the restart and comfortably secured the first game.
In the second game, Lakshya adopted a more patient strategy, engaging Christie in longer rallies to capitalize on any errors made by his opponent. The approach worked well for the Indian shuttler, as he led the game from start to finish, successfully taking the match into a deciding third game.
The third game commenced on level footing, but with the score tied at 6-6, Christie gained a lead and managed to maintain the advantage until the end of the 68-minute contest, ultimately emerging as the winner.
This defeat marked Lakshya Sen’s second loss to Jonatan Christie in their three head-to-head meetings, showcasing the competitive nature of their rivalry on the badminton court.