Lakshya Sen Advances to Finals of Kumamoto Masters in Japan

New Delhi, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : Lakshya Sen is on the brink of securing his second consecutive BWF Tour title. The Indian badminton star reached the singles final of the Kumamoto Masters in Japan by defeating Indonesia’s Alvi Farhan in a semifinal match on Saturday.

In a contest that lasted 70 minutes, Sen triumphed over Farhan with scores of 21-12, 15-21, 21-11. This victory marked Sen’s first win against Farhan, having previously lost to him in their two prior encounters.

Sen set the tone early in the match, taking control of rallies and keeping Farhan on the defensive. His effective play at the net was particularly noteworthy, allowing him to dictate the pace and secure the first game 21-12.

However, Farhan responded in the second set, utilizing his speed and court coverage to push Sen, forcing the match into a deciding game. Despite the pressure, Sen remained composed, waiting for the right opportunities to attack. He executed his smashes with precision, ultimately winning the final game 21-11.

This win propels Sen into his second consecutive BWF Tour final this month, following his title victory at the Hylo Open in Germany earlier. On November 1, he defeated Indonesia’s Jonathan Christie in the final with a score of 21-17, 21-10, ending a title drought since the Australian Open in November 2025.

Sen’s campaign in Kumamoto has been particularly impressive, as he overcame tough competitors including Chi Yu Jen, Dong Tian Yao, and local favorite Yushi Tanaka to reach the semifinals. In Sunday’s final, he will face either Thailand’s second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn or Japan’s Koki Watanabe.

More than just a title is at stake in Japan. Prior to the semifinals, Sen was ranked 12th in the BWF World Tour Finals race, needing to break into the top eight to qualify for the season-ending tournament in China. Winning in Kumamoto would significantly boost his chances.