Lakshya Sen's campaign at the BWF World Championships 2025 in Paris ended in the opening round despite a spirited effort against Shi Yu Qi of China, the top seed and world number one. The 24-year-old Indian shuttler, a bronze medalist at the 2021 edition, lost in straight games, 17-21, 19-21, in a 54-minute encounter at the Adidas Arena.
Sen, currently ranked 21st in the world, faced a tough challenge against Shi, who has been in exceptional form this season, winning three BWF World Tour Super 1000 titles. This defeat marks Sen's earliest exit from the World Championships, a stark contrast to his previous performances where he consistently reached the later stages.
The match was tightly contested, featuring long rallies and swift exchanges. In the first game, a 52-shot exchange highlighted the intensity, but Shi's precise attacks gave him the edge. Sen fought back to level the score at 11-11 after Shi had built a 10-6 lead, but the Chinese player stepped up the pace, targeting Sen's backhand to eventually win the game 21-17.
The second game mirrored the first, with Sen staying close to Shi in the early stages. Shi's ability to finish with precision allowed him to move ahead, securing two straight points from 19-all to close out the match. Despite the loss, Sen displayed glimpses of his sharpness and determination. However, he struggled to convert opportunities into points, particularly at crucial moments.
Sen's performance in Paris offered promising signs despite the defeat. He defended well and showed urgency, but his attacks sometimes lacked the power and placement needed to trouble Shi. Coaches had advised Sen to tighten his net play and reduce lifting the shuttle, but Shi's mix of power and placement proved difficult to counter.
This season has been challenging for Sen, with the early exit marking his ninth first-round loss. Apart from a quarter-final appearance at the All England Open in March and a semi-final run at the Macau Open, he has struggled to find consistency. Injuries and a dip in confidence have further compounded his difficulties.
Looking ahead, other Indian players will be in action at the BWF World Championships 2025. PV Sindhu will begin her women's singles campaign, while HS Prannoy, a bronze medalist in 2023, will also compete. The top-seeded men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, received a bye into the second round.
Despite the tough loss, Sen's return to the same venue where he finished fourth at the Olympics last year was a significant step in his journey. While the result was not in his favor, the experience and lessons learned will be valuable as he continues to strive for success on the international stage.
