Lakshya Sen Reaches Second Straight Badminton Final at Japan Masters
Lakshya Sen’s renewed enjoyment of badminton is translating into impressive results. Just days after lifting the Hylo Open trophy, the Indian shuttler has reached another final, defeating Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in three games at the Japan Masters on Saturday.
Sen won 21-12, 15-21, 21-11 in a contest lasting one hour and nine minutes at Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium. The victory puts him into his second consecutive final and gives him another opportunity to build on the confidence gained from his recent title run. He will face either home favourite Koni Watanabe or Thailand’s former world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the championship match.
A composed response after losing the second game
Sen began strongly, taking the opening game 21-12 by controlling the rallies and keeping Farhan under pressure. The Indonesian responded in the second, finding better rhythm and taking advantage of a dip in Sen’s momentum to level the match at one game apiece.
The deciding game proved a test of patience and execution. Sen understood the importance of establishing an early lead and held the advantage as the players moved into the interval. At 11-6, he changed ends with a useful cushion—and then made sure the next phase of the match belonged to him.
“It was important that I kept the lead in the third game from the beginning,” Sen said after the match. He explained that the points immediately after the interval needed to be played with sharpness and attacking intent. That approach helped him extend his advantage and settle into the closing stages, where he finished the match with greater control.
Recovering from a lost game without allowing frustration to take over is a valuable quality in top-level badminton. Sen’s response showed that he could adjust his approach, regain the initiative and manage the pressure of a deciding game rather than letting the match drift away.
One step further in Kumamoto
The Japan Masters final is a particularly satisfying milestone for Sen because he had reached the semifinals on his previous visit to Kumamoto. This time, he has gone one round further and will compete for the title in front of a Japanese crowd.
“It feels very good to play here,” he said. “Last time I was in the semifinal, so I was looking to better the result from last time. I’m happy with the way I played today.” Sen also stressed that recovery would be important before a demanding final, where his opponent will bring a different style and fresh tactical challenges.
His route to the last four has included wins over Chinese Taipei’s Chi Yu Jen, China’s Dong Tian Yao and Japan’s Yushi Tanaka. Sen had dropped only one game before facing Farhan, a run that underlines his consistency across the tournament. The semifinal demanded more of him, but he found the answers when the match became tight.
Hylo Open success provided a timely boost
Sen arrived in Japan with confidence after winning the Hylo Open, where he defeated defending champion Jonatan Christie 21-17, 21-10 in the final. That victory marked his first title of the season and the seventh of his career, giving his campaign a significant lift.
Rather than rushing straight from one tournament into another, Sen said he took time to prepare and recover after the demanding week in Germany. He returned home to India for Diwali, spending time with family before turning his attention to the Japan Masters.
“After the Hylo Open, I think it was a really tough tournament, and I took some time to prepare for this tournament,” he said. “I went back home for Diwali, a very big festival in India, to my family and really recovered well.” The break appears to have helped him arrive in Kumamoto refreshed, with enough energy to sustain his level through another week of high-intensity competition.
That balance between competition and recovery can be crucial on the badminton tour, where players often face long travel schedules and a demanding calendar. Sen’s recent results suggest that a carefully managed pause can be as important as training when it comes to maintaining sharpness and confidence.
Playing freely as the final approaches
With a second consecutive title within reach, Sen is keen to avoid adding unnecessary pressure. Rather than focusing on what a victory might mean, he plans to concentrate on his performance and enjoy the occasion.
“I’m not taking so much pressure now because I think these are good performances,” he said. “Tomorrow I go with a very free mindset of just performing my best and not thinking too much about the results. I’m really enjoying playing the final again.”
That relaxed outlook reflects the form he has shown in recent weeks. Sen has spoken about enjoying his badminton again, and his ability to stay positive through the ups and downs of a three-game match suggests that confidence is returning alongside his results.
Japan Masters final could shape his season
A title in Kumamoto would give Sen back-to-back tournament victories and strengthen his position in the race to qualify for the season-ending BWF Tour Finals. Qualification depends on results across the season, making every strong finish valuable as the campaign progresses.
First, however, Sen must navigate a final against an opponent who will test his movement, defence and ability to control the pace of rallies. Whether he meets Japan’s Watanabe or Thailand’s Vitidsarn, the championship match is likely to demand patience as well as attacking precision.
For Sen, the immediate goal is clear: recover well, carry his confidence into the final and continue playing with the freedom that has brought him this far. After improving on his previous Kumamoto result and extending his winning momentum from the Hylo Open, the Indian has put himself in an excellent position to make another statement on the badminton circuit.
