Canada Open: India's Lakshya Sen describes victory as 'one of the greatest comebacks'

Describing the Canada Open victory as one the "greatest comebacks" in his nascent career, star Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen on Monday said the win against the reigning All England Champion gives him confidence and belief in the Olympic qualification year.

Sen saved four game points in the second game of the final to outwit China's Li Shi Feng of China 21-18 22-20, snapping a 17-month wait for a BWF world tour title.

"Coming into the Olympic qualification year, it was tough as things didn't go my way," Sen, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, told PTI.

"So this will be one of the good tournaments for me and playing the finals like that is for me one of the greatest comebacks."

Following the highs of early 2022, Sen endured a low this season after being bothered by the effects of nose surgery that he underwent to treat a deviated septum following the World Championships last August.

His recovery process extended from three months to over eight months and his struggles were reflected in his performance. He made first-round exits from the last four events of 2022 and found the going tough in the early part of 2023.

His ranking also plunged to world number 25 from six.

"I was training well but post-surgery, I was falling sick and immunity was not well, I had a lot of health issues. I couldn't play 100 per cent. I had prepared well for All England, but again couldn't do well," he said.