Lakshya Sen storms into the Australian Open Super 500 final after a stunning comeback win over Chou Tien Chen in Sydney. The Indian shuttler overcomes early pressure to seal a thrilling three-game semifinal and remain India’s last hope in the tournament.
India’s top badminton star Lakshya Sen delivered one of his finest performances of the season as he secured a thrilling comeback victory over Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen to enter the final of the Australian Open Super 500 at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday. In a pulsating semifinal that lasted one hour and twenty-six minutes, Sen displayed exceptional grit and determination to outclass the seasoned second seed 17–21, 24–22, 21–16.
The match began on a challenging note for the Indian shuttler, who has been searching for his first title of the year. Chou Tien Chen entered the contest with strong momentum and immediately put Sen under pressure by racing to a 4–0 lead. Sen tried to settle into his rhythm, but Chen maintained control of the rallies and went into the mid-game interval with an 11–6 advantage. Despite Sen’s attempts to narrow the gap through well-placed smashes and quick recoveries, the Taiwanese star closed out the first game 21–17.
However, the second game witnessed a remarkable shift in the contest. Both players engaged in high-intensity rallies, each trying to gain a slender edge. The lead changed hands multiple times, showcasing the competitive balance between the two shuttlers. As the score tightened at 22–22, the tension inside the stadium soared. It was at that crucial moment that Sen exhibited exceptional composure, taking two consecutive points to clinch the game 24–22 and force a decider.
With renewed confidence, Sen carried his momentum into the third game. He took early command of the court, using sharp net play, swift footwork, and well-timed clears to disrupt Chen’s rhythm. Sen surged ahead to an 11–6 lead at the interval, keeping his opponent on the back foot. After the restart, Sen continued to dominate, extending his lead to 14–7. A service fault from Chen further widened the gap to 17–9, putting the Indian firmly in the driver’s seat.
A powerful cross-court smash from Sen gave him eight match points at 20–12. Although Chen saved four of them with aggressive play and tactical placements, he eventually faltered under pressure, sending a shot into the net. This decisive moment sealed Sen’s superb comeback victory, earning him a well-deserved place in the final.
With this win, Lakshya Sen remains the lone Indian still in contention at the Australian Open. On Friday, he overpowered rising star Ayush Shetty in straight games to secure his place in the semifinal, displaying the consistency and focus that have defined his campaign in Sydney.
In contrast, India’s challenge in men’s doubles ended earlier in the day. Top seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who had confidently advanced to the quarterfinals with a dominant win over Su Ching Heng and Wu Guan Xun of Chinese Taipei, were defeated by Indonesia’s fifth-seeded pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri. The Indonesians showcased excellent coordination and speed to win 21–19, 21–15, knocking the Indian duo out of the tournament.
India’s men’s singles campaign also suffered setbacks earlier in the week, with experienced shuttlers HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth making early exits on Thursday. Their departures placed greater expectations on Lakshya Sen, who has now risen to the challenge with inspiring resilience.
As Sen prepares for the summit clash, his performance has generated significant anticipation among Indian badminton fans. The final presents not just an opportunity to claim his first title of the season but also a chance to strengthen his position heading into the crucial year of global competitions.
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If Sen can replicate the determination and skill he displayed against Chou Tien Chen, Indian supporters can hope for a triumphant finish at the Australian Open.
