How Did Lakshya Sen Triumph Over Yushi Tanaka to Win the Australian Open?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Lakshya Sen clinched the Australian Open title.
- He played against Yushi Tanaka in the final.
- This was Sen's third Super 500 title.
- Sen displayed exceptional control throughout the match.
- The final match lasted only 38 minutes.
Sydney, Nov 23 (NationPress) Lakshya Sen has triumphantly ended his title drought by capturing the Super 500 Australian Open on Sunday, decisively overcoming Japan’s Yushi Tanaka with scores of 21-15, 21-11 in what proved to be one of the most straightforward finals of his career. Following his victory, he signaled for silence by placing his index fingers in his ears and shutting his eyes, a gesture reflecting the intense week he had just experienced.
This victory marks Sen’s third Super 500 title, as he seized the opportunity during his second final appearance of the year, having previously faced disappointment in Hong Kong. The week was filled with challenges, including overcoming compatriot Ayush Shetty and Chou Tien Chen in closely fought matches.
In stark contrast, the final was uncomplicated. After spending 85 minutes on the court during the semifinal, Sen encountered a more manageable challenge in Tanaka, who struggled with his accuracy and was frequently guilty of errors, misfiring on smashes and faltering on delicate touches.
Tanaka's precision faltered, leading to a series of early-round exits prior to his unexpected run to the finals, demonstrating his vulnerability despite being viewed as a domestic powerhouse.
Sen kept his strategy straightforward, allowing his flamboyant opponent to make poor shot selections, resulting in numerous mistakes. His defense was hardly tested during the 38-minute match, notwithstanding the occasional moment of unpredictability from Tanaka.
Sen maintained control for the majority of the match. The closest Tanaka came to troubling him was at 15-13 in the first game; however, Sen quickly reasserted his dominance by varying his placements and scoring points in rapid succession. Tanaka, adhering to his game plan, continued to hamper his own chances with unforced errors.
At 17-15, Tanaka showed a brief period of resilient defense, but overall, it was Sen dictating the game. Tanaka's attempts at back-court drop shots repeatedly hit the tape, and Sen was ultimately rewarded for his hard work and determination, especially following his disappointment at the Paris Olympics last year.
Although he could not qualify for the World Tour Finals, Sen ensured he concluded his international campaign with a title before returning home.