During a recent Super 500 semifinal, badminton players Lakshya Sen and Chou Tien Chen delivered an extraordinary match that transcended ordinary live sports, extending over 85 minutes. Though their Olympic aspirations did not yield medals, the thrilling contest showcased their tenacity, proving that the excitement of badminton continues beyond the Olympic Games.
He reached the second final of 2025 after Hong Kong, still seeking his first title in a challenging season. Ranked No. 12, he did not qualify for the World Tour Finals. However, Sen and Chou continue to make badminton captivating, despite it being an end-season competition with minimal stakes.
Mid-set, badminton’s unofficial snack-break for viewers, became the highlight of the match, overshadowing the actual first set and decider.
You could discuss the slap-drives in Sen’s match win with scores of 17-21, 24-22, 21-16, highlighting a shot characteristic to Bangalore that players from the Padukone academy frequently use. The technique involves an outstretched racket that skims over the shuttle, delivering it cross and flat. Additionally, the diving retrieves made by Sen and Chou enhanced the excitement of the play.
Defense is not sufficient to win badminton matches, as Sen learned against the accurate and powerful Chou. Although Sen played well and did not err, Chou’s control of the game allowed him to dictate the rally pace and placement, ultimately winning the first set. Sen managed to tire Chou out, leading to a chance in the second set where his resolve was tested.
In a pivotal moment of the match, Chou led 19-15, setting the tone with a 44-shot rally that showcased Sen’s determination to deliver high-quality, fast-paced strokes. Sen embodied perseverance, reminding himself to ‘never give up,’ while Chou benefited from the spirited support of his coach, Victoria Lao, who animatedly cheered him on. The rally highlighted Sen’s remarkable defensive skills and anticipation, demonstrating his ability to cover the court effectively as he consistently returned the shuttlecock.
Chou is considered the most cerebral and skilled player on the Tour, effectively countering Sen’s defiance by forcing him to stretch across the court, alternating shuttle placements to opposing sides.
This match showcased exceptional accuracy from both players, with no significant errors. Sen delivered impressive backline corner lobs and floaters, while Chou excelled at powerful short cross smashes. Chou’s skill lies in executing varied overhead strokes without fatigue, whereas Sen’s ability to defend one extra shot from Chou highlights his low retrieval capability.
In a thrilling second set, Sen initially trailed 4-7 but leveled the score at 9-9 by effectively employing Chou’s strategy of maneuvering around the court. Sen took a narrow lead at the mid-interval, 11-9. Despite fatigue, Chou displayed remarkable resilience, managing to capitalize on crucial opportunities to score, pushing the score to 15-13 and eventually leveling at 17-all. A standout moment for Sen included three remarkable diving retrieves, showcasing his agility and skill before executing a decisive straight smash.
The passage describes a competitive scenario where Sen, despite being shorter (5’10”) than many opponents, compensates with agility and game awareness. His movement on the court, akin to bouncing with catapult-like elasticity, contrasts with Chou’s struggle to generate points through clever tactics and increased power, leading to a pivotal moment at 20-18 when Sen made a strategic error by sending a long shot.
Sen performed a remarkable comeback, reaching 19-20 with a back corner toss-drop and capitalizing on an error from Chou to tie the match at 21-all. Despite Chou’s efforts, Sen maintained pressure, ultimately securing victory at 23-22 with a difficult slap-drive that forced Chou into a mistake, leading to a deciding game.
In a compelling badminton match, a pivotal moment occurred when one player, with his back to the corner, extinguished Chou’s momentum, leading to an inevitable 21-16 score despite the Taiwanese player’s strong spirit after being down 12-20. The contrasting approaches of Sen and Chou, both driven more by pride than rewards, highlight their unique and passionate styles, reflecting a shared brilliance in their gameplay despite a 10-year age difference.
