India went out of the Pembangunan Jaya Raya Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships – following a 3-1 defeat to Japan in the quarter-finals in Bintaro, Jakarta, on Monday.
 
For India’s former junior world No 1 Lakshya Sen, it was a big disappointment losing to the Japanese as the Indians were targetting at least a semi-final slot in the mixed team event.
 
If there is any consolation in India’s exit, Lakshya is pleased with his overall performance as he prepares for the individual events which get underway at the same venue on Wednesday.
 
“My aim is to reach the final at least,” said Lakshya after winning his men’s singles match against Japan’s Taiki Kato 21-13, 21-19 for India’s only point in the quarter-final tie.
 
The point put India back on the track after India lost the first point and this was in the mixed doubles. Srishti Jupudi-Srikrishna Sai Kumar Podile went down tamely 8-21, 14-21 to Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito.
 
Lakshya was the only Indian player who won all his matches in the mixed team. He beat Dmitriy Panarin in India’s 5-0 win over Kazakhstan, beat Kim Hyeong-jung in the 4-1 defeat to Korea in Group C matches.
 
At the tender age of 16, Lakshya donned India colours in the Thomas Cup Finals in May held in Bangkok, Thailand. India did not make the knockout stage but Lakshya returned richer in experience and exposure in a high-level competition.
 
Currently ranked No 71 in senior world rankings and 9 in junior rankings, Lakshya said: “I hope to break into the top 50 (senior) by the end of this year.
 
“I am now more confident in my play plus my mental strength has also improved much.”
 
Lakshya is seeded six in the individual event and has drawn a first-round bye. His second-round opponent is Kim Hyeong Jung whom he beat in the team event. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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