Japan Open 2025: Indian Shuttlers Shine Amidst Upsets
Tournament Overview
The Japan Open has commenced, showcasing top Indian badminton players striving for victory. A significant upset occurred when two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu was eliminated in the first round by South Korea's Sim Yu Jin. However, Lakshya Sen brought some optimism for India on the opening day, as he triumphed over China's Wang Zheng Xing with scores of 21-11, 21-18, advancing to the round of 16.
Men's Doubles Success
In the men's doubles category, the 15th-ranked duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty showcased their skills against Korea's Kang Min Hyuk and Kim Dong Ju. Although they started slowly, the Indian pair quickly gained momentum, winning the match in 42 minutes with a score of 21-18, 21-10.
Japan Open 2025: Date and Venue
The Japan Open 2025 is taking place from July 15 to July 20 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
Live Streaming and Broadcast Information
Fans can catch the live action of the Japan Open 2025 on the JioHotstar app and website, while StarSports 3 will provide live telecasts. Additionally, the BWF YouTube channel will also stream the matches live.
Match Schedule
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| First Round | July 15–16 |
| Second Round | July 17 |
| Quarter-finals | July 18 |
| Semi-finals | July 19 |
| Final | July 20 |
Upcoming Matches for Lakshya Sen
Lakshya Sen is set to compete in the Round of 16 against K. Naraoka at 6:30 AM IST in the men's singles category.
Sindhu's Early Exit
PV Sindhu, at 30 years old, struggled to find her rhythm during her match, making several misjudgments, particularly in assessing the distance of Sim Yu Jin's shots. She lost with scores of 15-21, 14-21 in a match that lasted just over 30 minutes. Despite some extended rallies in the first game, Sim remained composed and secured her first victory against the seasoned Indian player. In the second game, Sindhu attempted a comeback from 1-6 to level at 11-all, but Sim accelerated to finish the match decisively.