New Delhi, July 17(HS): Indian shuttlers faced challenges at the Japan Open, with Lakshya Sen and the men's doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty both eliminated in the second round. Lakshya Sen, ranked 18th, struggled against Japan's Kodai Naroka, losing 19-21, 11-21, despite starting strong against China's Wang Zhengxing in the first round.

In men's doubles, the fifth-seeded Chinese pair of Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang defeated Satwik and Chirag, 22-24, 14-21. The Indian duo initially led in the first game, but mistakes cost them the win. This loss marks the fourth consecutive defeat to the Chinese pair, who are the Paris Olympic silver medalists and now have a 7-2 lead in their head-to-head record.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar