Sen Advances to Quarters, Prannoy Exits at Kumamoto Masters

In Kumamoto, Japan, on November 13, 2025, Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen advanced to the quarterfinals of the Kumamoto Masters Super 500 with a decisive straight-games victory over Singapore's Jia Heng Jason Teh, while compatriot H.S. Prannoy suffered an early exit after losing to Denmark's Rasmus Gemke in the men's singles second round.

Sen, the world number 15 and seventh seed, dominated Teh, ranked 20th, with a 21-13, 21-11 win that lasted just 39 minutes at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium. The 24-year-old, a bronze medalist at the 2021 World Championships, built an early 8-5 lead in the first game. Teh briefly took a 10-9 advantage, but Sen regained control by the interval and then pulled away with seven consecutive points from 14-13 to secure the opener. In the second game, Sen asserted even greater control, racing to 5-0 and 11-3 at the break before closing out the match steadily. This victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with Singapore's Loh Kean Yew, the former world champion and third seed. Sen holds a 6-3 edge in their head-to-head record across nine prior meetings.

Prannoy's campaign ended abruptly later that day. The 33-year-old Indian, returning from an...