New Delhi, January 13, 2026 – Lakshya Sen showcased his dominance at the India Open Super 750 tournament, securing a spot in the second round with a straight-game victory over compatriot Ayush Shetty. The match, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, saw Sen, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, control the game from the start, ultimately winning 21-12, 21-15.
Sen's experience and strategic play proved crucial against the 20-year-old Shetty, who was making his home Open debut. Sen, currently ranked world No. 14, displayed confidence and precision, dictating rallies with sharp net play and capitalizing on Shetty's errors.
From the beginning of the match, Lakshya exuded confidence. His movements on the court and challenges to the umpire's decisions underscored his conviction. After a year of struggles in 2025, Lakshya found his stride in the second half, reaching the Japan Open semi-finals and the Hong Kong Open final before claiming the Australian Open title in November.
In the first game, Sen quickly established a 7-1 lead, preempting Shetty's shots and dominating at the net. Shetty, known for his defensive skills, found himself caught off guard by Sen's aggressive approach. Sen extended his lead to 11-4 and later to 17-6, leaving Shetty struggling to find an answer. Although Shetty managed to gain six consecutive points, Sen closed out the first game.
Shetty started the second game with renewed vigor, gaining a 5-1 lead. However, Sen quickly regained control, leveling the score at 6-6. While Shetty held a narrow 11-10 advantage at the interval, Sen tightened his grip after the resumption. Sen moved to 17-14 as Shetty struggled with his shot length and committed unforced errors. Sen secured six match points, and despite Shetty saving one, Sen clinched the win.
Sen expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting that he was well-prepared for the match despite concerns about the conditions in the large hall. He felt that the shuttle was traveling fast and that it was quite cold.
Looking ahead, Sen acknowledged the importance of maintaining a good ranking and peaking at the right time for major tournaments. In the second round, Sen is set to face Kenta Nishimoto.
Other Indian players also had a positive start on the opening day. The women's doubles duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured a straight-game victory, and the men's doubles pair Amsakarunan H. and M.R. Arjun also advanced. However, not all Indian players had success, with Dhruv Rawat and Maneesha K. losing their mixed doubles match. Former champion P.V. Sindhu, along with Kidambi Srikanth and H.S. Prannoy, are set to begin their campaigns.
