Lakshya Sen fights back to reach Hylo Open semifinals

Lakshya Sen recovered from a game down to beat Finland’s Kalle Koljonen 14-21, 21-17, 21-13 in the Hylo Open quarterfinals on Friday in Saarbrücken, Germany. The seventh-seeded Indian advanced to the semifinals of the BWF World Tour Super 500 event, where he will face French player Toma Junior Popov.

Koljonen, ranked world No. 67, took the opening game by controlling the pace with aggressive, deep clears and sharp cross-court angles. He kept Lakshya in the back corners, and Lakshya was forced into hurried defensive lifts that opened up the court.

A change in the rallies

Lakshya scrambled hard to retrieve several tight drops with quick footwork, but hurried defensive lifts opened up the court. He needed to stay composed on every shot, extend the rallies and force errors to disrupt Koljonen’s rhythm after losing the opener 21-14.

The world No. 14 made that adjustment in the second game. He led 11-7 at the mid-game interval and shifted the rhythm, putting Koljonen on the defensive. Lakshya tightened his length and used crisp, penetrating clears to keep Koljonen pinned deep at the baseline.

Lakshya also changed pace more often. He combined deep, tight clears to the back corners with sudden half-smash drives, keeping Koljonen moving from side to side and putting him under pressure at mid-court.

When Koljonen offered a short or floating lift, Lakshya stepped in to meet the shuttle early. Sharp cross-court drives and well-placed finishes helped him close out the second game 21-17 and force a decider.

Lakshya takes charge in the decider

The players were level at 4-4 in the final game before Lakshya pulled clear. He held a five-point lead at the final change of ends, again using deep clears to set up early attacking finishes.

Lakshya controlled the final game and completed the comeback 21-13. His tighter length and early responses to short lifts were part of the turnaround.

Popov awaits in the semifinals

Lakshya’s next opponent is world No. 13 Toma Junior Popov. The semifinal follows a quarterfinal in which Lakshya found a way back after Koljonen had dictated the early exchanges.

There are still details for Lakshya to tighten. He rushed some cross-court lifts under heavy pressure, while flatter defensive blocks could make it harder for opponents to launch an immediate counter-attack.