Lakshya Sen Advances to All England Final

By Ananya Rao / 08.03.2026

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 over Victor Lai in the semifinal. The match, which lasted one hour and 37 minutes, concluded with scores of 21-15, 18-21, and 21-16.

This marks Lakshya’s second appearance in the All England final, having previously reached the final in 2022. In his journey to the final, he notably defeated World No. 1 Shi Yuqi in the opening round and World No. 6 Li Shifeng in the quarterfinals, showcasing his impressive form throughout the tournament.

During the semifinal, the intensity was palpable, featuring rallies that extended beyond 40 shots. Despite facing cramps in the deciding game, Lakshya managed to maintain his composure and clinch the victory. “Do you want to play or retire?” was the question posed by the chair umpire as Lakshya battled through the physical challenges.

PV Sindhu, reflecting on the match, remarked that the marathon battle reminded her of the 2017 World Championships final, highlighting the high stakes and competitive spirit of the event. Lakshya celebrated his victory by punching the air in delight, while his coach watched with pride.

With this win, Lakshya aims to become only the third Indian to win the Super 1000 title, following in the footsteps of legendary players like Prakash Padukone. He will face Lin Chun-Yi in the final, a match that promises to be another thrilling encounter.

Lakshya Sen is currently ranked World No. 12, and his performance in Birmingham has kept India’s hopes alive in the badminton arena. As he prepares for the final, observers are eager to see if he can secure the coveted title.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final match’s schedule and venue specifics, but anticipation is building among fans and analysts alike.