BIRMINGHAM – Lakshya Sen’s All England Open 2026 campaign gained momentum as the Indian star outlasted Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus in a pulsating pre-quarterfinal, winning 21-19, 21-23, 21-10 after 81 minutes of high-octane action on Thursday.
Building on his stunning first-round elimination of title defender Shi Yu Qi, Sen flipped his record against Angus from 0-3 to 1-3, avenging defeats like the 2023 Malaysia Masters heartbreaker. The 24-year-old’s aggressive start in the opener kept him ahead, surviving a 19-19 tiebreaker to take it.
Momentum shifted dramatically in the second as Sen’s 11-4 lead evaporated. Angus, drawing on vast experience, erased the deficit and saved four match points – three from 17-20 and one at 20-21 – dragging the match to a third game.
Seizing control decisively, Sen dismantled Angus 21-10 in the finale, blending power with precision. ‘It was a solid battle; Angus deserves credit for the second-game fightback,’ Sen said. ‘I faltered at the close, offering easy shots. But refocusing fully for the third made all the difference – I’m delighted.’
On his mental fortitude: ‘My tactics held until the last points where errors crept in. Crucially, I blanked the prior games and stuck to the winning plan.’ Despite a late third-game scare at 20-9, Sen closed it out.
India’s final men’s singles hope, Sen eyes the Li Shifeng vs. Nhat Nguyen victor. This gritty win highlights Sen’s maturity, positioning him as a serious threat in the quarters and reigniting excitement for Indian badminton at the iconic All England.