Lakshya Sen announced his arrival at the All England Championships by claiming victory over top-ranked defending champion Shi Yu Qi, exorcising the demons of their last encounter at the World Championships in Paris.
The 12th seeded Indian shuttler showed remarkable composure and tactical maturity to outlast the Chinese star 23-21, 19-21, 21-17 in a thrilling Round of 32 clash that showcased the best elements of modern badminton. The win has special significance as it marks only Sen’s second career victory over Shi, following his 2-1 triumph at the 2022 Asian Games team event.
Sen drew first blood in a tense opening game that depended on nerve and precision. The defining moment came during a marathon 35-shot rally at the match venue. Both players opted for patience over aggression, trading safe returns and refusing to commit to risky winners. Sen eventually broke through to win the deciding point, but Shi immediately recalibrated and fought back furiously. The two traded points in tense exchanges that forced several deuces before the Indian held on tight for a 23-21 edge.
Shi stormed back in the second game with sharper movement and clinical execution. After Lakshya moved ahead 8-6 and looked comfortable, the Chinese world champion shifted gears dramatically. He unleashed five quick-fire points with surgical precision to take control at 11-8. Leading 13-10 at the interval, Shi controlled the forecourt exchanges with great anticipation and forced Sen into extended rallies that tested the Indian’s stamina.
Lakshya responded intelligently by changing the length and pace. He pushed the shuttle deeper into Shi’s rear back corner, forcing shorter responses as he mixed steep shots across the court with soft drops to disrupt Shi’s defensive rhythm. But the Chinese shuttler’s excellent transition play from defense to offense proved decisive as he won the second game 21-19 to force a decider.
The third game became an all-consuming war of attrition. Sen built a run midway through the game when Shia’s shots went astray to create a decisive two-point cushion at the break. The Chinese shuttler fired powerful smashes but Lakshya countered with smart play at the net to maintain his advantage.
The final stages brought great drama. Sen’s nerves showed briefly when he overshot a baseline shot in transition back to the power play. Shi stayed alive thanks to a crucial hit review that briefly shifted the momentum. But as the finish line neared, Lakshya regained his composure while Shia’s anxiety became more and more visible. The Chinese star lost his nerve at the crucial moments, allowing Sen to seal a memorable victory that avenges his straight-sets defeat at the World Championships in Paris.
Sen will now face China’s Ka Long Angus Ng from Hong Kong in the round of 16.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
March 3, 2026 7:42 PM IST
