Shenzhen: India's top-ranked men's shuttler Lakshya Sen advanced to the semi-finals of the King Cup International Badminton Open 2024 after registering his maiden win over Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka Long on Friday. Lakshya, ranked 12th in the world, defeated the world number 17 player with the scores of 10-21, 21-13, 21-13. The Indian shuttlers made a slow start in the opening game and lost easily. Lakshya took over in the second game and took a three-point lead before the mid-game interval. Angus Ng Ka Long stayed in the game with his pace, but suffered a defeat due to several unforced errors. This was Angus Ng's first win over Long in four matches. The last time the two players met was in the Malaysia Masters in 2023, in which Long Angus won 21-14, 21-19.
In the semi-finals on Saturday, Lakshya will face 18-year-old Chinese youngster Hu Zhe En, who had defeated former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the second match. Hu Zhean is ranked 183rd in the senior rankings, but is the reigning junior world champion and junior world number one. Paris 2024 silver medalist and defending world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, world No. 2 Anders Antonsen of Denmark, Frenchman Alex Lanier and China's Wang Zi Jun are the remaining players competing at the King Cup. An exhibition game will be played between veteran Lin Dan and Taufik Hidayat on Saturday. It is the inaugural edition of the King Cup badminton tournament, launched by China's two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan.
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