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New Delhi: HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen will be aiming to get back to their best when they step onto the court at the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500. The tournament will start from Tuesday and the prize purse for the same is USD 475,000. The tournament presents a timely opportunity for India’s top names to rediscover their rhythm after a patchy run in recent months.
Lakshya will be coming off fresh after a string of encouraging performances and will be eager to carry that confidence into Kumamoto. After battling a lean phase mid-year, the 24-year-old from Almora turned things around with a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open, followed by quarterfinal appearances in Denmark and Hylo. The Paris Olympic fourth-place finisher faces a tough opener against Japan's World No. 25 Koki Watanabe, but the fixture will set the tone for his campaign.
Meanwhile, Prannoy will be finding his footing again after a difficult spell marred by injury and illness. The 2023 World Championships bronze medallist had been one of India's most consistent players in recent years, collecting a Malaysia Masters title and reaching the final of the Australian Open last season. His preparations for the Paris Olympics were severely disrupted by a bout of chikungunya, and since then, he has been struggling to regain full fitness.
The 33-year-old last featured at the Korea Open, where he was forced ti retire mid-match against Indonesia's Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo after clutching his ribs during a rally. Following more than a month’s rest and recovery, Prannoy will make his comeback against Malaysia’s Jun Hao Leong in the opening round. The contest will be an early test of his match readiness and conditioning as he looks to regain the form that once made him India’s most dependable men’s singles player.
Beyond the veteran Indian shuttlers, young brigade also has plenty to prove. Ayush Shetty has made waves by winning the US Open and upsetting world champion Lon Kean Yew en route to the Hylo Open quarters but this time will have a tough first-round match against top seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand.
Tharun Mannepalli, who has been a semifinalist at the Macau Open, will face Korea's Jeon Hyeok Jin while Kiran George will start his campaign against a qualifier. In mixed doubles, Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde will take on the American duo of Presley Smith and Jennie Gai.
With a mix of experience and emerging talent in action, the Indian contingent will make the most of the Japan leg and regain their momentum as we are heading into the closing stretch of the season.
