The inconsistency that has shadowed Lakshya Sen’s 2025 campaign resurfaced in Paris, as the Indian shuttler suffered a shock first-round exit at the French Open Super 750 on Tuesday.
Facing Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen, ranked 29th in the world, Sen fell in straight games 7–21, 16–21, a result that stunned fans and underscored his ongoing battle with form and rhythm this season. For a player who had just defeated Anders Antonsen one of the BWF World Tour’s most in-form contenders at the Denmark Open a week earlier, this abrupt fall from grace was difficult to digest. The 23-year-old from Almora appeared a shadow of himself, struggling to find his usual sharpness, control, and attacking precision.
The match began in the worst possible way for Lakshya. Nguyen, full of confidence and energy, dominated the early rallies, capitalizing on Sen’s sluggish movement and erratic shot selection. Within minutes, the Irishman opened up a double-digit lead. Lakshya’s net game usually one of his biggest assets deserted him completely, as he committed unforced errors in quick succession. Nguyen, who lost to Sen in straight games just last week in Odense, appeared tactically reinvented. Mixing deceptive drops with quick midcourt exchanges, he forced Lakshya into defensive positions throughout the opening game, sealing it 21–7 in just 15 minutes.
The second game offered a brief glimpse of resistance. Sen tightened his play, beginning to engage in longer rallies and finding depth with his smashes. But Nguyen’s counter-attacking flair remained intact. Every time Sen looked poised for a turnaround—at 11–13 and again at 15–17—Nguyen responded with precision kills at the net and body smashes that left Sen flat-footed. The Irishman closed the contest 21–16, completing the upset in 43 minutes.
For Nhat Nguyen, this victory was deeply satisfying. Just a week ago, he had been dispatched by the same opponent in Denmark. But in Paris, Nguyen turned the tables with an aggressive and confident display, marking one of his most significant wins of the season. The Irish shuttler, who has long been seen as one of Europe’s brightest prospects, showed composure beyond his years. His movement across the court was fluid, and he consistently found success targeting Sen’s forehand corner a clear tactical adjustment from their previous meeting.
The win propelled Nguyen into the Round of 16, where he will look to extend his momentum and break deeper into the Super 750 draw.
Sen’s Season of Frustration
For Lakshya Sen, however, this latest defeat compounds what has been a deeply frustrating year. The French Open marks his 11th first-round exit of 2025, a staggering statistic for a player once touted as India’s next great badminton hope.
Since his breakthrough bronze at the 2022 World Championships and his title win at the India Open 2022, Sen’s trajectory has been uneven. Flashes of brilliance like his recent Denmark Open run continue to coexist with sudden collapses. His inconsistency, particularly against lower-ranked players, has raised questions about mental resilience and match readiness. In 2025 alone, Sen’s record in opening rounds has been alarmingly poor. While he has managed to score big wins against top players like Antonsen and Li Shi Feng, he has equally suffered early exits against names outside the top 25, including Ng Ka Long Angus, Chico Dwi Wardoyo, and now, Nhat Nguyen.
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Experts suggest that Sen’s game rhythm and physical sharpness remain inconsistent, possibly linked to lingering confidence issues stemming from his extended slump in 2023–24. The reaction among fans was one of disbelief and frustration. Social media quickly filled with posts from supporters who had traveled to Paris expecting to watch Sen in the later stages.
One fan, holding tickets for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final, summed up the sentiment online:
“Very disappointing from Lakshya Sen. Completely off his game. How can you defeat Antonsen in one week and then lose to Nguyen in the next? I was looking forward to seeing him in the QFs. This hurts.”
Such reactions reflect the emotional investment that Indian fans have placed in Sen’s career. His attacking game and tactical maturity once positioned him as the natural successor to Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy. But repeated early exits now threaten to derail his confidence and ranking stability. With the BWF season entering its decisive final stretch, every point matters in the race to the World Tour Finals. Sen’s inconsistency could jeopardize his chances of qualifying for the year-end event, particularly with compatriots like Prannoy and Priyanshu Rajawat also competing for ranking positions.
Silver Linings for India: Rohan & Ruthvika Advance
While Sen’s loss overshadowed India’s day in Paris, there was some positive news in the doubles section. The mixed doubles pair Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde began their French Open campaign impressively, defeating their Ukrainian opponents 21–12, 21–19 to progress to the Round of 16. Their composed performance offered a glimmer of hope for Indian fans looking for continued representation deep into the tournament. With several top Indian singles players including Sen, Prannoy, and Sindhu facing inconsistent form, India’s doubles discipline could emerge as a steadying force in the coming months.
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For Lakshya Sen, the loss to Nguyen is another reminder that raw talent alone won’t suffice at this level. His technical skill remains unquestioned, but sustaining focus across back-to-back tournaments continues to be his Achilles heel.
Sen’s next appearance is expected at the Hylo Open Super 300, where he will aim to reset his rhythm before heading into the BWF World Tour Finals qualification phase. With Olympic cycle intensity rising and younger players like Priyanshu Rajawat and Meiraba Luwang closing the gap, Sen’s ability to regroup quickly will be critical.
In Paris, he leaves behind more questions than answers and the growing realization that every first-round exit chips away at the promise that once seemed boundless.
Final Score: Nhat Nguyen (IRE) def. Lakshya Sen (IND) 21–7, 21–16 (43 minutes)
