Lakshya Sen Stunned by Nhat Nguyen in French Open Exit!

By Harshit - Oct 22, 2025 09:55 AM
Last updated on Oct 22, 2025 09:55 AM

India’s Lakshya Sen endured a disappointing start to his French Open Super 750 campaign, bowing out in the first round to Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in straight games. The 24-year-old, ranked 16th in the world, looked far from his best as he fell 7-21, 16-21 in a 40-minute encounter in Paris. What was expected to be a straightforward match for the Indian turned into a dominant display by Nguyen, who avenged his recent defeat to Sen at the Denmark Open.

For Sen, the loss was a setback to his recent resurgence, having reached the final of the Hong Kong Open earlier this month. However, in Paris, his timing and control deserted him. A string of unforced errors, missed lines on deep tosses and inconsistent shot selection allowed Nguyen to dictate the tempo from the outset. The Indian never quite settled, and the Irishman’s aggressive smashes and sharp court coverage left him struggling for answers.

Match Summary

The match began with Lakshya appearing sluggish and tentative, trailing 2-7 within the first few rallies. Nguyen, ranked 29th in the world, pounced on every opportunity, forcing Sen to play defensive lifts that were easily countered with steep, accurate smashes. By the mid-game interval, Nguyen led 11-5, having exploited Sen’s poor length and lack of precision on clears. The Irishman closed out the first game 21-7 with a cross-court winner that summed up Sen’s lack of rhythm.

The second game followed a similar script. Nguyen raced ahead to a 6-1 lead before Sen began to find some stability with better net play and a few controlled smashes. But the Irish shuttler quickly reasserted dominance, leading 11-5 at the interval. Sen’s mini-fightback to 11-15 showcased brief glimpses of his attacking flair, yet Nguyen’s consistency was unrelenting. At 14-17, Sen’s backhand into the net sealed his fate as Nguyen wrapped up the game and match with ease.

Key Turning Points

The first turning point arrived in the opening game when Sen’s early unforced errors handed Nguyen a comfortable cushion. Trailing 2-7, Sen looked unsettled, repeatedly misjudging the shuttle’s trajectory and missing vital attacking chances. Nguyen capitalised with sharp angles and deep clears, preventing Sen from controlling rallies. That early gap proved decisive, with Sen unable to close the distance or generate sustained pressure.

The second critical moment came in the latter half of the second game. After narrowing the score to 11-15, Sen seemed poised for a potential comeback. But a string of three consecutive errors — a wide smash, a mistimed net shot and a long clear — gave Nguyen the momentum once more. From there, Nguyen dominated the exchanges and converted his sixth match point to secure victory. Those lapses underlined Sen’s ongoing struggle with composure in tight situations.

Technical Diagnosis

Tactically, Sen struggled to impose his attacking game. His deep tosses and high clears often missed the lines, allowing Nguyen to take control early in rallies. Moreover, Sen’s footwork appeared sluggish, forcing him into awkward positions that compromised his shot quality. His trademark jump smashes lacked precision, and his backhand cross-courts repeatedly found the net. In contrast, Nguyen executed a near-flawless technical performance, mixing drops, drives, and powerful smashes to keep Sen guessing.

Nguyen’s ability to anticipate Sen’s plays was particularly impressive. The Irishman’s net interceptions and swift transitions from defense to attack left Sen constantly chasing the shuttle. Where Sen tried to prolong rallies, Nguyen often finished them with deceptive placements and clean winners. The match underscored how small technical inaccuracies can magnify under pressure, especially against an opponent brimming with confidence and tactical clarity.

Season Context & Form

The French Open exit adds to what has been a rollercoaster year for Lakshya Sen. After starting the season strongly with quarterfinal appearances and a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open, he has suffered inconsistent results on the BWF World Tour. Reports indicate that this was Sen’s 11th first-round loss in 17 tournaments this year, a statistic that highlights the inconsistency troubling his campaign. For a player of his calibre, those numbers are cause for introspection.

Part of Sen’s struggle lies in adapting to varied playing conditions and managing fatigue from a packed schedule. Experts have suggested that his high-intensity style may be taking a toll physically and mentally. With major events like the China Open and World Tour Finals on the horizon, finding a balance between recovery and tactical training will be key for Sen to rediscover his top form and re-establish himself among the elite men’s singles contenders.

Immediate Aftermath & Reactions

While Sen did not offer an immediate post-match statement, the badminton community reacted with concern and surprise at his performance. Analysts noted that his shot-making lacked conviction and that his rally control was well below his usual standard. Some commentators attributed the defeat to mental fatigue following a long run of back-to-back tournaments, suggesting that Sen may benefit from a short competitive break.

Meanwhile, Nhat Nguyen received praise from both Indian and international media for his composed performance. His victory over a higher-ranked opponent was celebrated as one of his biggest career wins to date. The Irishman credited his strategy of maintaining consistent pressure and attacking Sen’s backhand corner, which paid dividends throughout the match. The result was seen as a testament to Nguyen’s growing maturity on the world circuit.

Impact on the Draw & What’s Next

Nguyen’s victory propels him into the next round with significant momentum and confidence. For Sen, however, the loss complicates his qualification prospects for the year-end tournaments and underscores the need for immediate corrections. His coaching team will likely focus on improving decision-making during long rallies and rebuilding his confidence in tight moments, areas that have visibly dipped in recent matches.

Going forward, Sen’s roadmap includes participation in upcoming Super Series events in Asia, where he’ll look to regain rhythm and consistency. With his attacking game still among the sharpest on tour when executed well, a recalibrated focus on endurance and mental strength could help him bounce back strongly. For now, the defeat serves as a reminder that even top players must constantly adapt to the demands of elite badminton.

Other Indian Performances

Despite Sen’s loss, there was some good news for India on the opening day of the French Open. The mixed doubles pair of Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde advanced to the second round with a convincing 21-12, 21-19 win over a higher-ranked French duo. Their aggressive net play and precise mid-court control provided a much-needed lift for the Indian contingent.

In women’s singles, Aakarshi Kashyap faced a tough opening-round challenge but displayed grit in a narrow loss against a seeded opponent. India’s doubles teams are also set to take the court later in the tournament, offering additional opportunities for redemption after Sen’s early exit. Overall, the mixed results highlight both the depth and the development still required across the Indian squad.

Looking Ahead

For Lakshya Sen, the immediate task will be mental recalibration. He has shown time and again that he can rebound quickly from setbacks, as seen earlier in the season when he bounced back from early exits to reach the final in Hong Kong. What will matter now is his ability to draw lessons from defeats like this and convert frustration into focused preparation for upcoming events.

The French Open may have ended abruptly for the Indian ace, but his long-term prospects remain bright. With refined strategy, consistent match rhythm and sharper execution under pressure, Sen has the potential to reassert himself among the world’s top 10. The badminton season still has plenty to offer, and for a player as talented as Lakshya Sen, one poor outing is just another stepping stone toward future triumphs.

Also Read: Bangladesh’s epic choke ends semifinal dream in heartbreak

« Previous Watch Hardik Pandya and Mahieka Sharma Diwali Viral Video

Next » AUS-W vs ENG-W: Pitch Report, Head-to-Head, Playing 11, AI Prediction