New Delhi, Jan 16 (UNI) World Championships bronze medallist Lakshya Sen defeated reigning World Champion Loh Kean Yew to win his maiden India Open title here on Sunday.
The 20-year-old from Almora became the first Indian to win the tournament on debut.
Lakshya registered a straight-games victory 24-22, 21-17 over the Singaporean in the men's singles final.
In the first set, both players created equal spoils in the initial stage. Lakshya hit back and took a three-point advantage at the mid-game interval 11-8.
Post break, the Indian completely dominated the game and extended the lead to 17-13.
Loh turned the game around as he drew the level with four points in a row. Lakshya then reached to game point but the Singaporean again leveled it.
The momentum was swinging back and forth before the Indian clinched the first game 24-22 in 24 minutes.
After the change of sides, Loh took an early lead but a series of errors from him equalized the scores 5-5. After slow and intense play, Lakshya held a two-point lead at the stroke of interval 11-9.
Lakshya extended his lead to 16-11 but Loh reduced the deficit to 16-14.
Both the shuttlers traded series of points but the Indian later reached to the match point with 20-17 advantage. Lakshya eventually wrapped up the win with his lightning fast smash.
Lakshya has extended his head-to-head record against Loh to 3-2.

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