India's campaign at the Macau Open Super 300 badminton tournament came to an end on Saturday after Lakshya Sen and Tharun Mannepalli suffered semifinal defeats in their respective men's singles matches.
Lakshya, a 2021 world championship bronze medallist and reigning Commonwealth Games champion, couldn't match the pace and precision of Indonesia's Alwi Farhan, going down 16-21, 9-21 in a 39-minute contest to continue his patchy run that has seen him struggle with form and fitness this season.
In the other semifinal, India's Tharun Mannepalli went down fighting against Malaysia's Justin Hoh in a gripping three-game contest that lasted an hour and 21 minutes.
The 23-year-old Mannepalli, ranked 47th in the world, squandered a strong start to lose 21-19, 16-21, 16-21 in a match marked by fluctuating momentum and a flurry of unforced errors.
Lakshya vs Farhan
It has been a tough season for world number 17 Lakshya, who has had seven first-round exits and two second-round ousters this season. The 23-year-old, who has been affected by shoulder, back and ankle issues this season, had entered the tournament to gain some confidence before heading to the World Championships in Paris.
However, it was Farhan, the 2023 World Junior Champion and a member of Indonesia's bronze-medal-winning Sudirman Cup squad, who produced a dominating performance to knock him out of the tournament.
World number 25 Farhan recovered from a 0-3 start to lead 11-7 at the first break in the opening game. He dictated the pace of rallies with precise drops and powerful smashes, catching the Indian off-guard on multiple occasions.
Though Lakshya produced some eye-catching strokes, he lacked consistency, often erring in execution at crucial moments. A backhand winner brought him to 13-19, but a serve into the net handed Farhan five game points, and the Indonesian converted when Lakshya sent one long.
The second game followed a similar pattern. With Farhan leading 5-4, a 38-shot rally ended with a sharp cross smash from the Indonesian, who then extended his lead to 11-5 at the interval. Lakshya looked tentative and was unable to counter Farhan's relentless pressure at the net and forecourt.
Farhan raced to a 14-6 lead with another cross-court smash. Lakshya sent one wide and then found the net, allowing Farhan to grab 12 match points. The Indonesian missed one before sealing the match on the next opportunity.
India's Tharun Mannepalli went down fighting against Malaysia's Justin Hoh in a gripping three-game contest in the earlier semi-final on Saturday.
World No 47, Mannepalli squandered a strong start and fell to a flurry of errors to go down 21-19, 16-21, 16-21 in an hour and 21 minute match.
The 23-year-old Mannepalli started strong, racing to an 11-6 lead, but a few unforced errors kept Justin in the hunt. A powerful smash brought the Malaysian closer, but two wide returns helped the Indian regain a five-point cushion at 17-12.
Both players looked nervy and struggled for accuracy.
Mannepalli netted a smash as Justin won 9 of the next 13 points to level at 18-all with a sharp return to the forehand.
A miscued shot and a wide return from Justin gave the Indian two game points.
Mannepalli wasted one but converted the next with a straight return to take the opener.
In the second game, errors continued. Justin led 8-6 after Mannepalli sent a few long. A body smash and more errors pushed the Malaysian to a four-point lead.
Mannepalli clawed back to 13-13, but then went wide and missed both flanks.
Justin capitalised to lead 17-14, and a series of errors from Mannepalli gave him four game points.
Another long return sealed the game for Justin.
In the decider, Mannepalli led 6-3 before Justin levelled. The two traded points to 9-9, but a long shot gave Justin a two-point edge at the break.
The Indian's game then unravelled with repeated errors, allowing Justin to pull ahead 16-9.
Mannepalli closed in at 13-16 but faltered again, sending one wide and another long.
A final long return handed Justin four match points, and he sealed the win with a clever drop that caught Mannepalli flat-footed.
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