Lakshya Sen Ends Title Drought With Australian Open Triumph
Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen has finally ended his title drought on the international circuit by clinching the Australian Open Super 500 crown on Sunday. The 24-year-old shuttler displayed exceptional skill and determination to defeat Japan's Yushi Tanaka in a one-sided men's singles final that lasted just 38 minutes.
This victory marks Sen's first silverware of the 2025 season and comes as a significant morale booster after his fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics 2024. The win is particularly sweet for the Indian, who had been chasing a top-tier title since his Canada Open triumph earlier in his career.
Dominant Performance Against Japanese Opponent
Facing world number 26 Yushi Tanaka, who had won two Super 300 titles this year at the Orleans Masters and US Open, Lakshya Sen put on a masterclass in controlled badminton. The Indian star won the match with a commanding scoreline of 21-15, 21-11, showcasing his superior technique and mental strength throughout the contest.
The match began with Sen establishing early dominance, racing to a 6-3 lead as Tanaka struggled with unforced errors. A particularly intense 35-shot rally ended with the Japanese shuttler finding the net, demonstrating Sen's ability to sustain pressure in long exchanges.
Though Tanaka managed to break Sen's point streak with a lucky net cord, he couldn't maintain the momentum. Two crucial long errors from the Japanese player handed Sen five game points in the first set, which the Indian converted immediately when Tanaka drove another shuttle into the net.
Second Game Turns Into One-Sided Affair
The second game saw Lakshya Sen elevate his performance even further, turning the match into a completely one-sided affair. Maintaining his intensity and focus, Sen continued to play fast and flat returns that kept Tanaka on the defensive throughout.
The Indian's clean execution and sharp placement proved too much for his Japanese opponent, who struggled to find answers to Sen's aggressive yet controlled gameplay. The comprehensive victory without dropping a single game underscores Sen's return to top form.
Following the match point, Sen celebrated his USD 475,000 Super 500 event victory by putting his fingers in his ears - a gesture that symbolized his ability to block out external pressure and focus on his game.
Hard Work Pays Off for Determined Shuttler
In his post-match comments, Lakshya Sen expressed satisfaction that his persistent hard work throughout a challenging season had finally paid off. "I have seen a lot of ups and downs this season, with a few injuries at the start of the season. But I kept my hard work going throughout the season and I am very happy to end the season on a good note," said the elated champion.
The 2021 World Championships bronze-medallist also revealed his mindset during the crucial moments of the match: "In the second set I was quite far off in the lead, but I didn't want to get too inside my head so I wouldn't relax too much. In the back of my mind it was there but I was just trying to focus on playing one point at a time."
Sen's victory at the Australian Open makes him the second Indian to win a BWF World Tour title in 2025, following Ayush Shetty's Super 300 triumph at the US Open. This achievement signals a strong resurgence for Indian badminton on the global stage.
Looking ahead, an excited Sen added: "I'm very excited, looking forward to the next season now and I am really happy with the way I played today and this week." His Australian Open triumph sets a positive tone for the upcoming season and establishes him as a force to reckon with in international badminton.
