BWF World Championships: Lakshya Sen ready for 1st round final vs Shi Yuqi

Star India shuttler Lakshya Sen is confident ahead of facing Shi Yuqi in the opening round of the BWF World Championships on Monday, August 25. The Chinese star is the top-ranked player in the world and will be taking on an unseeded Lakshya, who has not been at his best in recent times.

Lakshya has been bothered by several niggles in the recent past; however, he has vouched that he is fully fit and ready to peak at the right time in the World Championships. Speaking ahead of the match, Lakshya said he was confident and felt it was a good thing to play Shi Yuqi in the early rounds of the tournament.

“It’s a good opportunity for me to play him in the early rounds,” Lakshya told the BWF website. “He can be a really tricky opponent in the semifinals or quarterfinals or the final. He’s been very, very strong and consistent."

Lakshya said that he would be treating the first-round match as the final and give it his all.

“But here, it’s just one match, so I’m taking it as a final and just preparing for that one good match. And then if I win, I’ll think further. But as of now, I’m just going in with the approach of playing well against him," Lakshya said.

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Lakshya's Gameplan vs Shi Yuqi

Shi Yuqi was the runner-up at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and is considered one of the best shuttlers in the world. The Chinese is fast, has excellent defense, and possesses an elite smash.

“He’s a really steady opponent. The main thing is to keep a good length, because he’s got a really good smash. So from the beginning of the game, try and get a good length in the shots and vary the pace in between, because he also likes to rally and play at his own pace," Lakshya said.

The shuttler explained that he would try to vary the tempo and keep his opponent guessing. Lakshya added that he would focus on neutralizing Shi Yuqi’s shots and taking the initiative when possible.

“So for me, it’s important to keep varying the pace, not get caught up in his rhythm, and then work hard every point because it’s not going to come easy. And then even in attack, stay very sharp. Play a little bit more aggressively so that I don’t give him many chances to hit, because once he gets going, his confidence builds. He can be really ruthless. So just be ready for those big smashes, try to contain him in defense, and counter-attack," Sen concluded.

Lakshya has beaten Shi Yuqi in the past but will need to be in prime shape to repeat his heroics. If he manages to beat the Chinese, the draw is expected to get a little easier for him.