Badminton
Macau Open: Lakshya Sen, Tharun Mannepalli exit- Highlights
Get all the Highlights from the semi-finals of the 2025 Macau Open.
Indian badminton fans had much to cheer for on Friday as both Lakshya Sen and Tharun Mannepalli secured their spots in the men’s singles semi-finals of the 2025 Macau Open Super 300, notching up gritty three-game victories over Chinese opponents.
For Lakshya, this marked his first semifinal appearance on the BWF World Tour since winning the Syed Modi International late last year, breaking a streak of 10 early exits. Up against Xuan Chen Zhu, the rising Chinese shuttler and Thailand Masters semi-finalist, Lakshya came out with renewed intent.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Tharun Mannepalli showed tremendous poise as he stunned the reigning junior world champion Zhu An Hu in a nail-biting encounter.
But, it didn't last long as both Tharun and Lakshya bowed out in the semi-finals after losing their matches against Malaysian (Justin Hoh) and Indonesian (Alwi Farhan) opponents, respectively.
As it happened:
Live Updates
- 2 Aug 2025 6:41 AM GMT
Alwi extends his lead with a couple of drop shots near the net
Game 1: Lakshya Sen (IND) 12-17 Alwi Farhan (INA)
Both players are using the drop shots efficiently, but Alwi's shots are looking more accurate and worrisome for the Indian.
- 2 Aug 2025 6:38 AM GMT
Alwi is directing his smashes to Lakshya's body, forcing him to make errors
Game 1: Lakshya Sen (IND) 10-14 Alwi Farhan (INA)
- 2 Aug 2025 6:34 AM GMT
Lakshya gives a big 4-point lead at the first mid-game break
Game 1: Lakshya Sen (IND) 7-11 Alwi Farhan (INA)
The young Indonesian shuttler troubled Laskhya on his half-smashes and drop shots to gain a good lead at the interval.
- 2 Aug 2025 6:30 AM GMT
Alwi bounces back in the game with a couple of great cross-court drop shots
Game 1: Lakshya Sen (IND) 6-7 Alwi Farhan (INA)
- 2 Aug 2025 6:26 AM GMT
Lakshya starts strongly to win a few quick points on the flat exchanges
Game 1: Lakshya Sen (IND) 3-0 Alwi Farhan (INA)
- 2 Aug 2025 6:25 AM GMT
Lakshya chases his first final of the year
Lakshya, who was struggling for form before this tournament, has somehow found some rhythm and is now chasing his first final on the BWF World Tour in 2025.
He will be taking on the rising youngster from Indonesia, Alwi Farhan.
- 2 Aug 2025 5:32 AM GMT
Justin Hoh defeats Tharun Mannepalli 21-16 in the decider, enters Macau Open final!
It’s heartbreak for India as Tharun Mannepalli goes down 21-16 in the deciding game against Malaysia’s Justin Hoh, who advances to the final of the 2025 Macau Open Super 300.
- 2 Aug 2025 5:29 AM GMT
Match point for Hoh at 20-16!
Justin Hoh stands on the brink of victory, reaching match point at 20-16 in this gripping semifinal. Despite a spirited fightback from Tharun Mannepalli, the Malaysian has held his nerve in the closing stages of the decider.
- 2 Aug 2025 5:27 AM GMT
Tharun stays in the hunt, trails 15-19!
Tharun Mannepalli isn’t backing down just yet. The Indian pulls one back to make it 15-19, keeping his hopes alive in this tense decider.
