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New Delhi: Star Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen advanced to the quarterfinals of the men's singles at the Kumamoto Masters Japan with a straight-game victory against Singapore's Jia Heng Jason Teh on Thursday. The 2021 World Championship bronze winner defeated world No.20 Teh 21-13, 21-11 in a 39-minute clash.
The world No.15 Sen will take on former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the quarterfinals. Lakshya managed to take an 8-5 lead in the opening game. Teh managed to make a comeback, briefly taking a slender 10-9 lead before the Indian shuttler went ahead at the break.
Both shuttlers fought hard till 14-13, but Lakshya moved ahead with seven consecutive points. After the change of ends, Lakshya dominated the match as he jumped to a 5-0 lead, and then to 11-3 at the interval to end his rival's hopes. He stayed throughout the match and closed the match comfortably.
HS Prannoy will take on Denmark's Rasmus Gemke in the quarterfinals of the tournament after battling past Malaysia's world No. 22 Jun Hao Leong 16-21, 21-13, 23-21 in a 68-minute thrilling clash at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium.
The 33-year-old Indian badminton player showed glimpses of his best to beat his higher-ranked opponent. After losing the first game despite being level at 13-all, Prannoy changed gears in the second to level the contest.
The momentum swings both ways in the decider as Prannoy led 19-15, but Jun Hao Leong made a comeback to 19-all. The Indian shuttler held his nerve to win the match 23-21, saving two match points.
It has been a difficult season for the 33-year-old shuttler, who has not qualified after the second round in any of his previous 14 BWF World Tour appearances in 2025.
Before the Kumamoto meet, Prannoy played in the Korea Open in September, where he made an opening-round exit after being forced to pull out of his match due to injury.
