India began its campaign at the Japan Open Super 750 on a high note, with key victories in both men’s doubles and singles signaling a promising start.
In men’s doubles, the top Indian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lived up to their reputation with a straight-game win over South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Kim Dong Ju, 21-18, 21-10. Despite early pressure in the first game, the Indian duo quickly adjusted their tempo and took control of the match. Their dominant second game, marked by sharp net play and powerful smashes, underscored their return to rhythm. Ranked 15th in the world, Satwik and Chirag are eyeing a strong run not only in Tokyo but also through the Olympic qualification phase, and this win provides much-needed momentum.
In men’s singles, Lakshya Sen brought more cheer with a confident performance against China’s Wang Zheng Xing, winning 21-11, 21-18. The 22-year-old Indian looked focused and aggressive, especially in the first game where he opened up a sizeable lead early. Though the second game was tighter, Lakshya stayed composed under pressure and closed out the match in straight games—an encouraging result given his recent struggles with consistency. He now faces a formidable challenge in the second round against seventh seed Kodai Naraoka, a Japanese player who enjoys strong home support and is known for his endurance and court coverage.
India’s clean start in both categories sets an optimistic tone for the tournament, but with tougher matchups looming, the next few rounds will be critical in determining how deep the Indian contingent can go in this Super 750 event.
