Sensing one final victory

New Delhi, January 15

Reigning World Championships bronze medallist Lakshya Sen progressed to the men’s singles summit clash with a thrilling win but it was curtains for two-time Olympics medallist PV Sindhu at the India Open here today.

The 20-year-old Sen rallied his way to a 19-21 21-16 21-12 win over world No. 60 Malaysian Ng Tze Yong to enter his maiden World Tour Super 500 summit clash.

However, in the women’s singles, top seed and home favourite Sindhu lost 14-21 21-13 10-21 to sixth- seeded Thai Supanida Katethong.

Young Aakarshi Kashyap too had a golden chance but squandered five game points in the opening game to allow Busanan Ongbamrungphan register a 26-24 21-9 win in the other semifinal.

In the men’s doubles, world No. 10 pair Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy won 21-10 21-18 over France’s William Villeger and Fabien Delrue.

Time for revenge

Sen will be looking to avenge last year’s Dutch Open final loss to Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew when they clash in the final tomorrow. Overall, the duo has a 2-2 head-to-head record, with Sen losing two of their last three meetings.

Loh, seeded fifth, was given a walkover in the other match by Canada’s Brian Yang after developing a sore throat and headache. “Both of us are playing well, it will be a good match tomorrow and I am really looking forward to playing him,” Sen said. — PTI

Two players withdraw

new delhi: The pandemic continued to wreak havoc as two players were withdrawn from the main draw ahead of their mixed doubles semifinals clash here today. Second-seeded Russian mixed doubles player Rodion Alimov tested positive and was withdrawn from the tournament. His mixed doubles partner Alina Davletova was also withdrawn after being identified as a close contact.