Birmingham erupted in cheers as Lakshya Sen, India’s rising badminton star, clinched a dramatic quarterfinal berth at the All England Open 2026. The 24-year-old overcame Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus 21-19, 21-23, 21-10 in a 1-hour-21-minute marathon, avenging three previous defeats including one at the 2023 Malaysia Masters. This follows his stunning elimination of defending champion Shi Yu Qi in round one.
Sen dictated the first game with relentless pressure, edging ahead despite Angus’s late surge to 19-19. Two vital points gave him the edge. Momentum seemed his in the second, leading 11-4, until Angus’s veteran guile shone: he reeled off points, saved three match points at 17-20, another at 20-21, and forced a third game.
The decider was Sen’s masterclass, dismantling Angus 21-10. Post-match, Sen praised his foe: ‘Very solid games, Angus fought hard in the second. I gifted easy points at the end, but came back strong in the third – really happy with that.’ On strategy, he noted, ‘My tactics worked overall; I just deviated in key moments. Crucial to reset and stick to the plan.’
Now the sole Indian in men’s singles, Sen eyes the Li Shi Feng vs. Nhat Nguyen winner. This resilience-fueled triumph highlights Sen’s evolution, blending power, precision, and poise. As the 2022 runner-up returns to form, the badminton world watches if he can go all the way in this historic tournament.