Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth lose semi-finals in straight games

India’s problem at Hylo Open Super 500 badminton match came to an conclusion just after both equally Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen suffered straight activity defeats in their respective men’s singles semifinals in Saarbrucken, Germany on Saturday.

Sen, rated 21 in the environment, went down battling 18-21, 12-21 to 39th rated Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew in 45 minutes though Srikanth experienced a slender 19-21, 20-22 decline to Malaysian second seed Lee Zii Jia.

Previous winner Sen matched his opponent in the rapidly-paced rallies but lacked ending as he endured his 2nd loss to Loh in three conferences this calendar year. He experienced avenged his Dutch Open ultimate reduction to Loh with a straight recreation earn at the French Open up final month.

In the semifinal clash, Loh showed improved self-control and precision to return the favour to the Indian.

Srikanth way too under no circumstances lacked in intent but Lee was always a move forward in the opening sport. Lee had opened up a 4- lead in the 2nd but the Indian shortly moved to 15-10 to increase hopes of a comeback.

But an notify Lee clawed again shortly into the direct and even had two match points. Srikanth drew parity but Lee averted any hiccups and sealed the contest with a cross court docket return.

Earlier, Sen and Loh played some wonderful rallies with the Indian grabbing 6 straight factors to direct 8-4 at one stage.

A several unforced glitches by Sen, which incorporated a extended shot and a web mistake, assisted Loh to crack the run of factors and he soon designed it 10-9 soon after injecting tempo in the rallies. Nonetheless, the Indian ensured he had a slender 1-stage gain at the interval.

Pursuing the breather, Loh managed to change the tables at 13-12. Sen wrested back again the lead at 17-15 with four fast details. Nonetheless, Loh produced his way to 20-18 and fist pumped right after sending one particular absent from his opponent’s arrive at.

Gruelling rallies highlighted in the 2nd sport also but the Singaporean ongoing the momentum, opening up a 2- guide and even however Sen breathed down his his neck, Loh managed to enter the interval with a a few-point cushion.

Loh continued to keep fort immediately after the interval and slowly distanced himself from the Indian, exhibiting immaculate defence.

In the conclude, a return heading to web from Sen and then a smash helped Loh to attain match factors and he sealed it with yet another stiff cross court smash.

On Friday, Sen experienced notched up a 21-18 12-21 21-19 acquire in excess of 3-time junior environment champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand to get to the semifinal.

The 20-12 months-outdated, who had claimed five titles in 2019, had a first rate outing at the Denmark Open up and French Open with 2nd spherical and quarterfinal finishes respectively.

The shuttler from Almora was compelled to pull out of the occasion previous calendar year immediately after his father and mentor DK Sen had examined optimistic for Covid-19.