Lakshya Sen’s resurgence in 2025 continues to gather momentum, and the latest chapter has come at the Kumamoto Japan Masters, where the Indian shuttler produced one of his sharpest performances of the season to reach the semifinals.
In a high-quality quarterfinal, Sen once again got the better of Singapore’s former world champion Loh Kean Yew, winning 21–13, 21–17 in straight games to secure his third semifinal of the year and his second at a Super 500 event. Coming into the clash, Sen held a 6–3 head-to-head advantage over Loh, including two wins earlier this season. On Friday in Kumamoto, he made it seven, reinforcing his growing command in this rivalry. What made the win even more impressive was the composure Sen showed late in the second game, weathering a spirited Loh fightback before sealing the match with three consecutive points.
A Rivalry Tilting in Sen’s Favour
The Lakshya–Loh rivalry has often produced absorbing badminton, but over the last year, the Indian has steadily turned it into one of his more favourable matchups. The Japanese courts traditionally reward quick transitions and precise net play two things Sen has developed significantly in the past 18 months. Against Loh, those strengths were again on full display.
The opening game was almost flawless from Sen. After a balanced start, he broke away post the mid-game interval with a five-point burst that Loh struggled to counter. The length on Sen’s lifts, the sudden injection of pace in rallies and his willingness to stay patient in long exchanges left Loh scrambling for rhythm. Sen pocketed the first game 21–13, looking fully in control.
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The second game, however, showcased the competitiveness expected from Loh. Down 9–15, the Singaporean launched a spirited recovery, taking eight of the next eleven points to close the gap to 17–18. It was in this phase that Sen’s composure shone through. Rather than allowing the momentum to shift, he slowed the tempo, tightened his net play and forced Loh into reactive positions. Three clutch points later, the match belonged to the Indian.
With that, the head-to-head now sits at 7–3 in favour of Lakshya Sen, an emphatic indicator of how the trajectory between the two has shifted.
A Strong Build-Up: Dominant Win in the Round of 16
Sen’s quarterfinal performance was preceded by a confident outing in the Round of 16, where he defeated Singapore’s Jia Heng Jason Teh 21–13, 21–11 in just 39 minutes. He controlled proceedings from the outset, establishing a powerful rhythm from the backcourt and rarely allowing his opponent any sustained passage of scoring. The win put him in an ideal mental space ahead of the Loh Kean Yew test. Sen has often spoken of needing a run of consistent performances to regain his top-tier status after injury-hit seasons, and the Japan Masters is shaping up to be exactly that platform.
A Growing Season, A Deepening Presence in Big Events. With this semifinal appearance, Sen has now reached:
- 3 semifinals in 2025
- 2 Super 500 semifinals
- 5 wins over Top 10 opponents this season
His form through the year has been defined by sharper transitions, improved rally tolerance and better tactical clarity in pressure moments. The win over Loh especially the way he handled the late-game pressure reflects a more mature, match-aware version of Sen. This also marks further consolidation of his place in the top tier of men’s singles, a category currently dominated by players focusing on physicality and long-rally discipline. Sen’s mix of speed, deception and touch allows him to create pressure in unique ways, especially on medium-paced courts like in Kumamoto.
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The Japan Masters is crucial for players chasing ranking points ahead of final Olympic and World Tour Finals qualification scenarios. For Sen, a semifinal or better could significantly boost his ranking and season-ending stability.
Lakshya Sen Storms into Kumamoto Masters Quarterfinals with Back-to-Back Dominant Wins
More importantly, this run reaffirms his ability to beat high-ranking opponents deep in tournaments. Wins over Top 10 players have historically been the metric distinguishing contenders from champions. With five such wins already this year, Sen is trending towards a season that could reshape his long-term arc. Whether Sen goes all the way in Kumamoto or not, this performance signals a return to the consistency that once made him a World Championships medallist and a Commonwealth champion. The victory over Loh Kean Yew his third in a row serves as both a statement of form and a psychological upper hand going into future tournaments.
As he prepares for yet another semifinal in an already encouraging 2025 season, Lakshya Sen’s form suggests he is not just rebuilding he is rising with renewed clarity and purpose.
