India&rsquo;s Lakshya Sen began his Japan Masters 2025 campaign on a dominant note, advancing to the second round of the BWF World Tour Super 500 event with a commanding straight-games victory over Japan&rsquo;s Koki Watanabe in Kumamoto City on Wednesday.
The seventh seed and world No. 15 took full control of the 39-minute contest, defeating world No. 26 Watanabe 21-12, 21-16. 
Demonstrating sharp court coverage and deft net play, the 23-year-old Indian left little room for the local favourite to find momentum.
Lakshya will next face the winner of the match between Singapore&rsquo;s Jia Heng Jason Teh and Canada&rsquo;s Victor Lai, a World Championships bronze medallist, for a place in the quarterfinals.
However, it was a disappointing day for other Indian shuttlers in the men&rsquo;s singles draw. 
Kiran George bowed out after a 20-22, 10-21 defeat to Malaysia&rsquo;s Jing Hong Kok, despite a strong start in the opening game. 
Rising star Ayush Shetty also exited early, losing 16-21, 11-21 to fourth-seeded Japanese player Kodai Naraoka, who dictated the rallies with superior pace and precision.
Later in the day, H.S. Prannoy and Tharun Mannepalli were set to open their campaigns, as India aimed to bolster its presence in the men&rsquo;s singles category.
In mixed doubles, India&rsquo;s Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde put up a valiant effort before narrowly missing a second-round berth. 
The pair saved four match points but eventually fell 12-21, 21-19, 20-22 to the American duo of Presley Smith and Jennie Gai in a thrilling 56-minute encounter.
India will have no representation in men&rsquo;s doubles, as Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy withdrew from the tournament. 
The pairing of Kapoor and Gadde remains the country&rsquo;s sole challenge in the mixed doubles category.
&mdash;IANS

Lakshya Sen celebrates victory at Japan Masters

Lakshya Sen eases past Watanabe to enter Round 2; George and Shetty suffer early exits

Lakshya Sen Cruises Into Japan Masters Round 2

Lakshya Sen eases past Watanabe to enter Round 2; George and Shetty suffer early exits

November 12, 2025 | 16:58 IST