Lakshya Sen survives a 97-minute marathon to reach the final
Marathon Victory Propels Sen into Final
Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen has secured his place in the men's singles final of the All England Open Badminton Championships after a grueling semifinal encounter. Facing Canada's world number 16, Victor Lai, the 12th-ranked Indian emerged victorious with a 21-16, 18-21, 21-15 scoreline. The contest, which lasted one hour and 37 minutes, tested the physical and mental limits of both athletes.
Sen started the match strongly, taking the opening game 21-16. However, Lai, a former world championship bronze medalist, fought back with a structured defense to take the second game 21-18, forcing a decisive third set. The final game became a test of endurance as Sen struggled with severe cramping and a blister on his foot. Despite these physical hurdles, he maintained his composure during extended rallies, including one that lasted 44 shots.
This tournament has seen Sen return to top form, highlighted by his opening-round upset of world number one and defending champion Shi Yuqi. He continued his momentum by defeating Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus and China's Li Shifeng in the earlier rounds. Following the win against Shifeng, Sen noted the importance of staying mentally prepared for long rallies even when tired—a strategy that proved vital in his win over Lai.
On Sunday, Sen will compete in his second All England Open final, having previously finished as the runner-up in 2022. He is set to face Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi, who advanced after stunning world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn. Sen currently trails Lin 0-5 in their head-to-head record, most recently losing at the 2026 India Open. The final represents a significant opportunity for Sen to become only the third Indian to win this prestigious title.
