Australian Open: Lakshya Sen overcomes compatriot Ayush Shetty to enter semis

Picture : Lakshya Sen

Lakshya Sen defeated compatriot Ayush Shetty in straight games to advance to the semifinals of the Australian Open Super 500. The seventh seed prevailed 23-21, 21-11 in the quarterfinal and will next face Chou Tien Chen.

World Championship bronze medallist Lakshya Sen booked his place in the semifinals of the Australian Open Super 500 after defeating fellow Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty in straight games in their quarterfinal clash on Friday. The seventh seed, who had also beaten Shetty at the same stage of the Hong Kong Open earlier this year, prevailed 23-21, 21-11 in a 53-minute contest. With this win, Sen remains the only Indian left in the men’s singles draw after early exits for his senior compatriots.

Sen will now face Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei, the world No. 9 and second seed. Chou reached the last four after coming from behind to beat Indonesia’s Farhan Alwi 13-21, 23-21, 21-16 in a match lasting one hour and 23 minutes. Alwi had earlier knocked out Indian veteran H.S. Prannoy in the round of 16, underlining the depth in the field.

The opening game between Sen and Shetty was a tight, momentum-shifting battle. Sen, 26, trailed 6-9 and 9-10 before reeling off four points to take a 13-10 lead. But Shetty, this year’s US Open Super 300 champion, kept coming back, repeatedly overturning the deficit. The pair were level at 21-all before Sen held his nerve to seal it 23-21.

Shetty’s persistence forced long rallies and several swings in momentum, but Sen’s experience showed in the key moments. His composure under pressure helped him navigate the tense exchanges and take control of the match.