Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen has continued his impressive run at the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2026, securing a place in the men’s singles semifinals after defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in the quarterfinals on Friday, November 13.
The eighth-seeded Indian delivered a confident performance, defeating the Japanese shuttler 21-16, 21-15 in just 40 minutes at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium. Despite facing strong support for the home favourite, Sen maintained his composure and controlled the match with his attacking shots, quick movement and excellent court coverage.
Lakshya Sen Dominates Yushi Tanaka in Quarterfinal
Lakshya Sen started the opening game with an aggressive approach, putting pressure on Tanaka through quick rallies and well-placed attacking shots. Although the Japanese player attempted to make a comeback, Sen maintained his advantage and secured the first game 21-16.
The second game was more competitive, with both players exchanging points during the early stages. However, Sen gradually increased the pressure and used his attacking abilities to create opportunities. Tanaka struggled to match the Indian’s pace in the closing stages, allowing Sen to seal the game 21-15.
The victory demonstrated Sen’s strong form and ability to perform under pressure, particularly when competing against opponents on their home courts.
Lakshya Sen to Face Alwi Farhan in Semifinals
Following his impressive quarterfinal victory, Lakshya Sen will face Indonesia’s sixth-seeded Alwi Farhan in the semifinals on Saturday, November 14.
The upcoming match will be an important challenge for the Indian shuttler, as Farhan has won both of their previous meetings. Sen will look to improve his head-to-head record and secure a place in the tournament final.
Farhan is considered a strong opponent, with his speed, attacking shots and court movement making him a challenging competitor. Lakshya will need to maintain his consistency and tactical discipline to overcome the Indonesian player.
Lakshya Sen’s Recent Hylo Open Victory Boosts Confidence
Lakshya Sen entered the Kumamoto Masters following an impressive victory at the Hylo Open in Germany last month.
His recent success has provided additional confidence as he competes in the final tournaments of the badminton season. Reaching the Kumamoto Masters semifinals without dropping a game in his last two matches further highlights his current form.
Sen is also aiming to improve his position in the BWF World Tour rankings and strengthen his chances of qualifying for the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals in China. He currently needs to break into the top eight of the World Tour rankings to secure qualification.
Kidambi Srikanth Exits Kumamoto Masters
Meanwhile, India’s Kidambi Srikanth suffered a quarterfinal defeat against Japan’s Koki Watanabe.
Srikanth lost the match 22-24, 15-21 despite showing promising form during the contest. The Indian shuttler had built a strong advantage in the second game but could not maintain his momentum as Watanabe staged a comeback.
With Srikanth’s campaign ending in the quarterfinals, Lakshya Sen remains India’s men’s singles representative in the competition.
Can Lakshya Sen Reach the Kumamoto Masters Final?
Lakshya Sen’s semifinal qualification is another encouraging development for Indian badminton. Following his recent Hylo Open triumph, the Indian star now has an opportunity to continue his winning momentum and move one step closer to another international title.
However, defeating Alwi Farhan will be a significant challenge, considering their previous results. Indian badminton fans will be eagerly waiting to see whether Sen can overcome his Indonesian opponent and book his place in the Kumamoto Masters 2026 final.
Conclusion:Â
Lakshya Sen’s impressive victory over Yushi Tanaka has kept India’s hopes alive at the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2026. His upcoming semifinal against Alwi Farhan will be crucial for his title ambitions and World Tour Finals qualification campaign.
