Lakshya Sen Advances to All England Final

Lakshya Sen Advances to All England Final

Lakshya Sen has secured his place in the final of the All England Open 2026 after a hard-fought victory against Victor Lai in the semifinals. The match lasted 1 hour and 37 minutes, with Lakshya winning with scores of 21-15, 18-21, and 21-16.

This marks Lakshya’s second appearance in the All England final, making him only the second Indian shuttler to achieve this feat, following the legendary Prakash Padukone. Previously, Lakshya reached the final in 2022, and he now aims to become the third Indian to win the prestigious Super 1000 title.

In a remarkable tournament run, Lakshya defeated World No. 1 Shi Yuqi in the opening round and World No. 6 Li Shifeng in the quarterfinals. His coach, Yoo Yong-sung, has been instrumental in his preparation, guiding him through intense matches.

The semifinal match featured rallies of more than 40 shots, showcasing the skill and endurance of both players. During the deciding game, Lakshya battled cramps, yet he managed to keep his composure and secure the win. “Do you want to play or retire?” the chair umpire asked during a tense moment, highlighting the physical demands of the match.

PV Sindhu, a fellow Indian badminton star, remarked that the marathon battle reminded her of the 2017 World Championships final, emphasizing the high stakes and intensity of the competition.

With this victory, Lakshya has kept India’s hopes alive in the tournament. He will face Lin Chun-Yi in the final, a match that promises to be another thrilling encounter.

Lakshya punched the air in delight as he celebrated his victory, with his coach watching proudly from the sidelines. As he prepares for the final, the badminton community is eager to see if he can achieve this historic milestone.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final match’s timing and venue specifics, but anticipation is building around Lakshya’s performance.