Birmingham, Mar 14 (UNI) India’s Lakshya Sen delivered a stunning performance at the All England Open 2025, advancing to the men’s singles quarterfinals with a commanding victory over defending champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia. The Paris 2024 semifinalist outplayed the world No. 2, winning 21-13, 21-10 in just 36 minutes.
Currently ranked 15th in the world, Sen showcased remarkable control and precision to dismantle Christie. He will next face world No. 6 and reigning Asian Games champion Shi Feng Li of China in a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash.
In men’s doubles, India’s top pair, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, had to withdraw from their second-round match due to Chirag’s back muscle strain. The duo, ranked 12th in the world, lost the first game 21-16 and were tied at 2-2 in the second against China’s Xie Hao Nan and Zeng Wei Han (world No. 33) before retiring from the match.
Meanwhile, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand fought back to reach the women’s doubles quarterfinals with a resilient win over Korea’s eighth-seeded Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong. The Indian pair staged a comeback to secure a 15-21, 21-18, 21-18 victory.
On a disappointing note, PV Sindhu bowed out in the first round of the women’s singles event earlier, failing to make a mark in the tournament. In another setback, Malvika Bansod (world No. 28) lost to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, the world No. 3 and two-time world champion, 21-16, 21-13.
India also suffered an early exit in mixed doubles, as Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Gadde were defeated by China’s Feng Yan Zhe and Wei Ya Xin 21-12, 21-10.
With Sen and the women’s doubles duo of Jolly and Gopichand carrying India’s hopes forward, all eyes will be on their upcoming quarterfinal encounters.
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