All England Open 2025: Lakshya Sen, Treesa-Gayatri bow out in quarterfinals to end Indian challenge

All England Open 2025: Lakshya Sen, Treesa-Gayatri bow out in quarterfinals to end Indian challenge

Lakshya Sen suffered a 10-21, 16-21 defeat to China’s Li Shi Feng in the All England Open Championships 2025 quarterfinals on Friday to end India’s singles challenge at the tournament.

Women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also bowed out of the tournament in the quarterfinals to end the Indian challenge at this year’s All England Open.

Earlier, Feng made quick work of the first game and clinched it 21-10, including notching up nine consecutive points during it.

He played composed badminton, avoiding unnecessary risks. A powerful smash gave him a 9-4 lead, and he entered the break with a solid 11-4 advantage.

Lakshya’s unsuccessful review left him trailing 4-12, but he briefly upped his attack, reducing the gap to 7-12 with a sharp cross-court smash.

However, Feng adjusted quickly, mixing up his pace and tactics effectively.

A precise review put him ahead 19-10 before unforced errors from Lakshya handed Feng the game.

Lakshya showed signs of improvement in the second game, but Feng remained dominant, sealing the issue in 27 minutes.

The Indian trailed 2-5 but clawed back with better net play, edging ahead 10-8 after a gruelling 37-shot rally.

He took a slender three-point lead at the break and kept pace in a tight battle, with a marathon 44-shot exchange locking it at 14-all.

However, the tall Feng upped his aggression, moving ahead 17-15 with a powerful smash.

At 15-18, Lakshya suffered some finger bruises, spilling blood on the court and requiring medical attention and the court had to be cleaned.

The brief stoppage, however, did little to halt Feng’s momentum, as he powered through with another thundering smash to close out the match.

However, Lakshya fought back in the second game and was leading 11-9 at the break. But Feng made sure to win the second game 21-16 to wrap up the match in 45 minutes.

The World No. 15 beat defending champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in straight games in the Round of 16 on Thursday.

After Laksya’s match, Treesa and Gayatri failed to recreate their outstanding performance in their round-of-16 victory against South Korea’s Kim Hye Jeong and Kong Hee Yong on Thursday.

The duo started well but China’s Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning pulled ahead to clinch the match 21-14, 21-10 within 46 minutes.

(With inputs from PTI)

Published on Mar 14, 2025