India&rsquo;s run at the Japan Masters came to an end after Lakshya Sen bowed out in the semifinals of the BWF World Tour Super 500 event, losing in three games to Japan&rsquo;s Kenta Nishimoto on Saturday.
Lakshya made a promising start, taking an 8&ndash;3 lead in the opening game. However, Nishimoto shifted momentum with a seven-point surge, using steep smashes and consistent pressure to edge ahead. Despite Lakshya levelling the scores late in the game, a few costly net errors allowed the Japanese shuttler to take the opener 21&ndash;19.
The Indian returned strongly in the second game, adjusting the tempo and exploiting Nishimoto&rsquo;s visible discomfort. After trailing 1&ndash;5, Lakshya unleashed a controlled phase of play, winning eight of the next nine points with sharp smashes and tight net control. He took the game 21&ndash;14 to force a decider.
In the final game, Nishimoto regained full command, attacking early and racing to a 14&ndash;7 lead. Lakshya struggled to match his pace and eventually conceded eight match points, with Nishimoto sealing the semifinal 21&ndash;12. The Japanese shuttler will face either Kodai Naraoka or Wang Tzu Wei in the final.
Lakshya had earlier stunned former world champion Loh Kean Yew in a straight-games quarterfinal victory, his seventh win over the Singaporean in ten encounters.
With HS Prannoy exiting in the second round after a straight-games loss to Denmark&rsquo;s Rasmus Gemke, Lakshya was the last Indian standing at the tournament. India&rsquo;s challenge in the women&rsquo;s singles and doubles categories ended earlier in the week.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

India’s Japan Masters campaign ends as Lakshya Sen loses a hard-fought semifinal battle

Lakshya Sen Falls in Japan Masters Semis

India’s Japan Masters campaign ends as Lakshya Sen loses a hard-fought semifinal battle

November 15, 2025 | 15:28 IST