NEW DELHI, Aug 18: Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen produced a determined comeback at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, overcoming Austria’s Collins Valentine Filimon in a hard fought opening round encounter.
Sen lost the first game 16-21 but quickly changed the momentum in the next two games. He dominated the second game 21-8 before completing the turnaround with a commanding 21-4 victory in the decider.
The Indian shuttler’s recovery was particularly impressive considering the difficult playing conditions at the venue. Players have been dealing with challenging drift inside the stadium, which has affected shuttle movement during matches.
Sen remained composed after the slow start and controlled the rallies more effectively as the contest progressed. His sharp attacking play and improved movement helped him seize control of the final two games.
The victory keeps India’s campaign on track at a home World Championships, where expectations are high on the country’s leading badminton players.
The tournament is being held in New Delhi, with the home contingent looking to make a strong impression on the global stage. Sen’s opening-round comeback provides an encouraging start to his campaign.