Loh, ranked 13th in the world, recovered from an early setback to beat the 14th-ranked Sen 21-12, 15-21, 21-14 at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sen appeared in control at the start of the opening game, racing to a 5-1 lead. Loh, however, responded emphatically, stringing together 10 successive points to turn the game around and establish a commanding advantage. The Singaporean eventually closed out the opener 21-12.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Indian shuttler refused to let the match slip away. Sen raised his attacking intensity in the second game and stayed composed through the exchanges before securing it 21-15, forcing the contest into a decider.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The third game remained competitive, but Loh gradually built the advantage. He led 11-6 at the change of ends and, despite a spirited fightback from Sen, managed to keep the Indian at arm\u2019s length.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sen reduced the deficit to 13-14 during a four-point run and later moved to 14-16, but Loh responded with three consecutive points to restore his cushion. The Singaporean then moved to match point before Sen sent a return into the net, bringing the contest to an end.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Loh completed the victory in one hour and 10 minutes, improving his head-to-head record against Sen to 5-7. He will face another opponent later on Saturday in the round of 16.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Sen, the defeat brings an early end to his individual campaign after he had already contributed to India\u2019s bronze-medal finish in the men\u2019s team event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Loh completed the victory in one hour and 10 minutes, improving his head-to-head record against Sen to 5-7. He will face another opponent later on Saturday in the round of 16.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Sen\u2019s departure, India will now look to its remaining shuttlers to carry the challenge forward in the individual events.<\/p>\r\n\r\n