What a moment for Indian badminton! On Sunday in Sydney, Lakshya Sen put on an absolute clinic to clinch the men's singles title at the Australian Open 2025. He eased past Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in a final that lasted just 38 minutes, marking a huge, much-needed victory for the Indian star after what has been a pretty challenging year.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Lakshya Sen clinched his first title of 2025 at the Australian Open Super 500.
- ✓ He secured a decisive victory over Japan's Yushi Tanaka with a score of 21-15, 21-11 in just 38 minutes.
- ✓ This win makes him the second Indian man to win the Australian Open after Kidambi Srikanth in 2017.
- ✓ The victory marks his third career Super 500 title, adding to his wins at the Indian Open (2022) and Canada Open (2023).
- ✓ The win came after a tough season, improving his win-loss record for the year to a more balanced 23-18.
A Masterclass in Control: How the Final Unfolded
From the get-go, you could tell Lakshya was in the zone. He was the seventh seed, but he played with the confidence of a top contender. Throughout the final, he was the better player, showcasing an improved range by perfectly mixing his signature defensive game with sharp, attacking badminton and some really deft touches at the net. His opponent, the unseeded Tanaka, just seemed to let the occasion get the better of him.
The first game started on a fairly balanced note, but Lakshya quickly opened up a 6-3 lead. His strategy was clear: push Tanaka into longer rallies and force errors on the corners of the court. It worked beautifully. He carried a handy three-point lead into the mid-game interval, and you could hear the chants of “Lakshya! Lakshya!” from the sizeable Indian crowd in the arena. It must have been an incredible feeling for him.
Of course, Tanaka wasn't just going to roll over. He mounted a small comeback, closing the gap to 13-12 and creating a few tense moments. But this is where Lakshya truly showed his class. He raced ahead with incredible variation in his pace and skill, outfoxing Tanaka multiple times. He'd build a rally patiently and then—bam!—unleash a smash to kill the point. Before you knew it, he had five game points and converted the very first one as Tanaka drove the shuttle into the net.
Sealing the Deal with a Dominant Second Game
If the first game was about control, the second game was pure dominance. It quickly turned into a one-sided affair. Lakshya maintained his intensity, playing fast, flat returns that denied Tanaka the length he needed for his signature whipping smashes. While Tanaka tried to stretch him, his moments of brilliance were few and far between, overshadowed by a flood of unforced errors.
The Japanese player just seemed to be overdoing his attack, and his inconsistency played right into Lakshya's hands. The Indian shuttler stayed steady, built a big lead, and went into the interval a comfortable 11-5 ahead. Despite being younger, Lakshya looked like the veteran on the court—calm, composed, and in complete control of his shots. Tanaka, on the other hand, looked resigned as his shots kept missing the mark.
From there, it was all one-way traffic. Lakshya's backline judgment was superb, as Tanaka repeatedly sent the shuttle long. The lead swelled to 17-8, and soon after, a barrage of smashes brought him to 19-8. With ten championship points in hand, he sealed the title with a sharp cross-court return, squandering only one before claiming his well-deserved victory. The hug he shared with his coach Yoo Yong-sung and father DK Sen said it all—a mix of relief, joy, and pride.
More Than Just a Trophy: The Importance of This Win
You see, this win was about so much more than just another piece of silverware. It was Lakshya's first title since the Syed Modi International last November and, crucially, his first tournament win outside India since he won the Canada Open in July 2023. This victory continues his impressive streak of winning at least one title a year since 2022, a testament to his consistency even during tough periods.
Let's not forget, he's also now only the second Indian man ever to win the Australian Open title, following in the footsteps of the great Kidambi Srikanth, who achieved the feat back in 2017. This is a massive confidence booster for the World No. 14, who has navigated a challenging 2025 season. This win brings his win-loss record for the year to a much healthier 23-18, a sign that things are definitely on the upswing.
The Grueling Road to the Final
Getting to the final wasn't a walk in the park either. Lakshya was the last Indian man standing in the singles draw after senior players like H.S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth made early exits. In the quarter-finals, he had to face a determined fellow Indian, the 20-year-old Ayush Shetty. That match was a real battle, especially the first game, which Lakshya narrowly won 23-21 after 53 minutes of intense badminton.
After getting past Ayush, he was up against the formidable second seed, Chou Tien Chen of Chinese-Taipei, in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, it was a disappointing tournament for India's top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. The top seeds were shown the door in the quarter-finals by the Indonesian duo of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri. Lakshya carrying the torch all the way to the title makes this win even sweeter for Indian fans.
Conclusion
The bottom line is, Lakshya Sen's victory at the Australian Open was a powerful reminder of his talent and resilience. He didn't just win; he dominated, showcasing a level of control and confidence that has been building all year. Breaking his title drought for 2025 in such style is exactly the boost he needed, and watching him celebrate with his father and coach was a perfect ending to a phenomenal week of badminton. It’s a great day for Indian sport, and a sign of exciting things to come from this young champion.
