Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen produced one of his most confident performances of the season as he stormed into the semifinals of the Japan Masters 2025 in Kumamoto after defeating Singapore’s former world champion Loh Kean Yew in straight games — 21-13, 21-17. The 40-minute encounter highlighted Sen’s growing consistency and tactical maturity, especially at a time when the Indian contingent is looking to make a strong statement on the international circuit.
From the opening exchanges, Sen showcased sharp footwork, precise placements, and superior court control. After an early 4–4 tie, the Indian shuttler unleashed a flurry of attacking strokes, building a solid lead and eventually wrapping up the first game 21-13. His ability to vary the pace and disrupt Loh’s rhythm proved crucial. Loh, known for his explosive counter-attacks, struggled to find openings against Sen’s compact defense and deceptive net play.
The second game, however, tested Sen’s resilience. Loh came back with renewed aggression, matching Sen point-for-point to level the score at 9-9. But the Indian star maintained his composure, shifting gears at the right moment. A thrilling 42-shot rally became the turning point of the match — Sen won the rally with a perfectly executed jump smash that electrified the crowd and marked the beginning of his decisive surge. From there, he extended his lead and sealed the match 21-17.
This victory also extended Sen’s head-to-head dominance over Loh to 7 wins in 10 meetings, underlining his psychological and tactical edge in their recent encounters. More importantly, it marks one of his most significant wins of the year, especially after a season marked by highs and lows.
Sen now advances to the semifinals, where he is set to face world No. 13 Kenta Nishimoto of Japan. The clash promises to be intense, as Nishimoto will have the home crowd behind him, while Sen will aim to continue his strong momentum and secure a place in the final.
For Indian badminton fans, this victory is a refreshing reminder of Lakshya Sen’s potential to rise to the top tier once again. With his confidence soaring and form steadily improving, Sen’s deep run at the Japan Masters signals a promising end to 2025 and builds hope for a stronger season ahead.
