India's star shuttler Lakshya Sen showcased his prowess by sailing into the third round of the World Championships with an emphatic straight-game victory against Korea's Jeon Hyeok Jin in the men’s singles category on Tuesday.
Sen, who clinched a bronze medal in the 2021 edition, demonstrated superior gameplay, outclassing the world number 51 Korean with scores of 21-11, 21-12. This convincing win solidifies his position as one of the frontrunners in the competition.
The 11th seeded Indian ace is expected to lock horns with the third-seeded Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand in the forthcoming round. Fans are keenly awaiting this clash, as it promises to be a high-voltage encounter.
This match had an added significance for Sen, as it provided him an opportunity to settle scores against Jeon. The Korean player had the upper hand in their previous encounter, defeating Sen at the Asia Team Championship in 2022. However, this time, Sen left no room for error.
Right from the onset, Sen exhibited exceptional agility, acing the rallies and showcasing his superior retrieval skills, combined with impeccable speed and well-calculated shot selections. His dominance was evident as he swiftly led the game 5-1, gradually widening the margin against Jeon, who seemed to be struggling to keep up with Sen's relentless pace.
With a comfortable lead of 11-6 going into the interval, Sen resumed play with unwavering confidence, quickly advancing to 18-11, and finally clinching the first game with a flourish of three consecutive points.
In the subsequent game, Sen wasted no time in establishing his dominance, quickly taking a 4-1 lead. His impressive streak continued as he furthered the lead to 10-5, accentuated by a powerful forehand return. At the halfway mark, Sen comfortably stood ahead at 11-5.
Keeping his momentum, Sen meticulously constructed his rallies, staying ahead of his opponent to play precise shots, eventually earning eight match points. With unyielding determination, he sealed his victory on the second match point, proving his mettle and affirming his rising stature in the badminton world.
