India’s run at the Macau Open Badminton 2025 concluded on a bittersweet note as Lakshya Sen and Tharun Mannepalli fell short in the men’s singles semifinals.
Competing in the final four of a BWF World Tour event for the first time this season, both players showcased grit and determination but couldn’t overcome formidable opposition.
Lakshya Sen, the second seed, lost in straight games to Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan, with scores of 21-16 and 21-9. Sen, who has struggled this season with recurring shoulder, back, and ankle issues, couldn’t match the fifth-seeded Farhan’s intensity. The 2023 World Junior Champion and a member of Indonesia’s Sudirman Cup squad dominated the match in just 39 minutes.
Meanwhile, Tharun Mannepalli’s marathon encounter with Malaysia’s Justin Hoh ended in a three-game defeat: 19-21, 21-16, 21-16. Tharun, ranked World No. 47, showed promise by securing the first game but faltered in the decider, struggling with drift conditions and losing key points in succession.
This semifinal appearance marks Tharun’s career-best finish so far, hinting at a promising future. Despite the losses, both players gained valuable experience that could bolster their confidence in upcoming tournaments.
