Lakshya Sen's route to the Hylo Open title was built on patience, tactical discipline and the ability to handle pressure. Despite establishing an early
lead of six to seven points against Jonatan Christie in the final, the Indian shuttler resisted the temptation to rush his shots, recognising that it was difficult to hit through his opponent at the first attempt.
The title victory proved to be an important turning point for Sen, who had endured a series of near misses in recent tournaments. Former Indian badminton player Trupti Murugunde believes the triumph will give him a much-needed confidence boost, particularly after overcoming several in-form opponents on his way to the trophy.
Speaking exclusively to myKhel after Sen's Hylo Open triumph, Murugunde described the victory as a welcome break for the Indian shuttler after a prolonged period without the results he would have wanted.
"Especially for Lakshya Sen, I think it's a good break after a very long time. He's been having some near misses, and performances were not coming up. So, I think this is a good win. It gives you good confidence," Murugunde said.
She also highlighted the quality of Sen's opponents in the latter stages of the tournament, pointing to his victories over Christo Popov in the semi-finals and Jonatan Christie in the final. Beating players who are currently in form, she felt, would further strengthen his belief.
Sen Focused On Tactics Rather Than Rankings
Sen, meanwhile, explained that familiarity with Christie helped him prepare for the final. Having faced the Indonesian several times previously, he understood the kind of game he could expect and knew that the contest would demand tactical clarity.
The Indian also pointed out that their head-to-head record was level, making the final another closely contested encounter between two players familiar with each other's strengths and playing styles.
"For me, it was important to have the right strategy in place and not think so much about the rankings. It was a final and also a pressure match for him as well," Sen said.
He added that his priority was to stick to the basics, execute the right tactics and remain ready to fight throughout the contest.
"All the time, matches are 50-50. You don't really go there to see what will happen. You go there to just fight, give your best and play the right game," he explained.
For Sen, the Hylo Open title is therefore more than another tournament victory. It offers renewed confidence and a timely reminder that patience, preparation and tactical discipline can deliver results against the strongest opponents.
