India’s Lakshya Sen stormed into the men’s singles final of the Australian Open Super 500 after defeating world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in a gripping three-game semifinal at Sydney Olympic Park.
Sen fought back from a slow start to win 17-21, 24-22, 21-16 in an 86-minute marathon, marking a major milestone in his 2025 season and keeping Indian hopes alive after early exits of compatriots H.S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth.
This result sends Sen into his second major final of the year, following his runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open. He also reached the semifinal of the Kumamoto Masters Japan earlier this month, underscoring his consistency during the Asian leg of the tour.
A Gritty Effort
Chou dominated the opening game with sharp net play and precise shot-making, racing to a 4-0 lead and closing out 21-17. Sen, however, displayed remarkable composure in the second game, engaging in tense rallies before clinching two consecutive points at 22-22 to level the match 24-22.
In the decider, Sen seized control early, building an 11-6 advantage at the interval and extending it to 14-7. Chou showed signs of fatigue, committing unforced errors, while Sen’s cross-court smashes and deft net play proved decisive. He closed out the match 21-16 and celebrated with his father-cum-coach DK Sen, who watched proudly from courtside.
Road to the Final
Earlier in the week, Sen defeated compatriot Ayush Shetty 23-21, 21-11 in the quarterfinal, once again showcasing his ability to recover under pressure. With his place in the final now secured, Sen stands as the sole Indian remaining in the men’s singles draw.
He will face either Lin Chun-Yi of Taipei or Yushi Tanaka of Japan in Sunday’s final, as he continues his pursuit of a maiden Super 500 title.
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