Indian star shuttler Lakshya Sen has stormed into the men’s singles final of the Australian Open Super 500, pulling off a thrilling comeback against world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in the semifinals. The 2021 World Championships bronze medallist showcased immense mental strength to shift the momentum of the game after dropping the first game, eventually winning 17-21, 24-22, 21-16 in a gruelling 86-minute battle.
Lakshya to win maiden title of the season
Lakshya is yet to claim a title in the ongoing series; however, he did reach the final of the Hong Kong Open earlier in the year. Now, he will face either Japan’s Yushi Tanaka or Chinese Taipei’s fifth seed Lin Chun-Yi in the final.
Chen is off to a good start
Chen was looking more confident and sharper during the initial stage of the clash. His precise shot selection and execution allowed him to dominate early rallies, and he raced to a 14-7 lead in the opening game. Lakshya struggled to find his rhythm and was briefly outplayed, giving Chen a comfortable advantage. Despite a few soft mistakes, Chen maintained control, and Lakshya had to fight hard to save two game points before ultimately losing the opener 21-17.
Lakshya eyed a comeback
The second game saw both players recalibrate their strategies. Lakshya gradually found his rhythm, showcasing sharp net play and putting consistent pressure on Chen. After trading points in the early stages, Lakshya levelled the score and slowly edged ahead, eventually taking the game 24-22 in a tense finish.
Lakshya took lead
In the deciding game, Lakshya looked faster and more energetic, while 35-year-old Chen’s movements began to slow, and unforced errors started to creep in. Lakshya quickly established a lead of 6-1 and maintained his intensity throughout. His sharp cross-court smashes, better reading of Chen’s shots, and improved net play allowed him to extend the lead to 11-6 at the interval.
As the game continued, Lakshya started dominating the rallies, eventually racing to 14-7 and later 17-9, earning multiple match points. Chen tried to mount a comeback, saving a few points, but Lakshya remained composed and finally sealed a memorable victory 21-16, completing a remarkable turnaround and booking his spot in the final.