Indian Shuttler Lakshya Sen Defeats China Champion Li Shi Feng to Win Canada Open 2023

NEW DELHI: Lakshya Sen of India won the men's singles title in the Canada Open 2023 early Monday, July 10, 2023, defeating China's Li Shi Feng in straight sets 21-18 and 22-20. Lakshya Sen, 21, defeated reigning All England Champion Li Shi Feng by winning the first set 21-18 and the second set 22-20.

Sen trailed 16-20 in the second set before regaining his composure and winning six games in a row to break his title drought. Sen's second BWF Super 500 championship came after winning the India Open last year. Sen, the world No. 19, made a strong start to the top clash and held his lead throughout the opening set. Shi Feng challenged him a couple of times, but he didn't let the advantage slip and won the first set 21-18.

Shi Feng, the World No. 10, battled back hard in the second set and was on the approach of tying the match at 16-20, after Sen had slipped down by just a touch. Sen, on the other hand, didn't waste the opportunity, saving four game opportunities to win the second set 22-20 as he slumped to the ground. The Commonwealth Games champion had a difficult year, and it meant a lot to him. Sen instantly composed himself to soak in the ovation after finally claiming a world title in 2023.

Sen, who had dropped to world number 25 owing to poor form and health, has gradually regained his form.

Sen defeated against Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the semi-finals of the Thailand Open last month after falling in the Round of 16 of the All England Championship 2023 and reaching the quarter-finals of the Indonesian Masters. And Sen's performance at the Canada Open demonstrates that he was gradually improving, considering his previous final appearance was in the All England Open last year, where he lost to Victor Axelsen.

Also Read: NASA's Webb Telescope Discovers Supermassive Black Hole

Also Watch: