Top seed Kento Momota survives Lakshya Sen scare in first round of Indonesia Open

Unseeded Sen squandered a game point to allow world No 1 Momota to clinch an extended first game. The Indian put up a brave fight before going down 21-23, 15-21 in the men's singles first round that lasted 54 minutes.

It was the second consecutive defeat for world No 19 Sen at the hands of the Japanese in as many weeks. Momota beat Sen 21-13, 21-19 in the second round of the Indonesian Masters last week.

Lakshya Sen a point away from taking first game

However, the in-form Japanese did not give up and won three successive points to foil Sen's bid.

Sen put up a strong fight in the second game, but the experienced Momota clinched the big points to close it out.

Kashyap fails to clear first-round hurdle

Veteran Parupalli Kashyap proved no match for young Singapore shuttler Loh Kean Yew, losing 11-21, 14-21 in the men's singles first round.

The men’s doubles pair of MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila went down 20-22, 13-21 to Korea's Choi Solgyu and Kim Wonho in the opening round, while the mixed doubles pair of Venkat Gaurav Prasad and Juhi Dewangan also lost in straight games to the German duo of Jones Ralfy Jansen and Linda Efler.

Third seed PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth and B Sai Praneeth will be in action on Wednesday.

Indian results (Round 1)

Men’s singles

Men’s doubles

MR Arjun-Dhruv Kapila lost to Choi Solgyu-Kim Wonho (Korea) 20-22, 13-21 (41 minutes)

Mixed doubles

Venkat Gaurav Prasad-Juhi Dewangan lost to Jones Ralfy Jansen-Linda Efler (Germany) 12-21, 4-21 (23 minutes)

Indian players in action on Wednesday (Round 1)

Men’s singles

Women’s singles

Women’s doubles

About the author

Sports journalist for the last 25 years. An experience of more than 15 years in covering badminton. Have covered many national and international badminton tournaments. Reporting sports has been an extension of my passion ever since I started my career in 1995. Loves to play badminton and cricket.

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