Lakshya Sen booked his place in the men’s singles final of the 2026 All England Open with an emphatic victory over Canada’s Victor Lai in Birmingham. The Indian shuttler won a tense three-match encounter, winning 21-16, 18-21, 21-15 after 1 hour and 37 minutes of play. The result marks Sen’s second appearance in the final of this prestigious tournament, following his runner-up finish in 2022.
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Sen showed resilience throughout the match, especially after dropping the second game to Lai, who is currently ranked world No.16. Sen’s composure and tactical adjustments in decision-making proved key as he closed out the match to advance to Sunday’s championship round.
The defining moment came in the third game, where Sen broke away after a close layup in the middle of the game. His sharp net play and consistent smashes allowed him to overcome Laio’s challenge to seal the match and earn another shot at the title.
With his performance, Sen set up the final against Lin Chun-Yi from Chinese Taipei on March 8. A win would make him only the third Indian to win the All England Open in men’s singles – a feat last achieved by Pullela Gopichand in 2001.
India’s history at the All England Open has seen only two men’s singles champions: Prakash Padukone in 1980 and Pullela Gopichand in 2001. Notable finalists include Prakash Nath in 1947 and Saina Nehwal in 2015, though both fell short at the final hurdle.
The 2026 campaign is particularly significant as India have waited 25 years for another men’s singles winner at the event. Sen’s run to the final rekindled hopes of ending that long drought.
Sen’s journey to the final underscores his growth on the international circuit and adds to his status as one of India’s top badminton talents. Reaching two All England finals is a rare feat for any Indian shuttler.
All eyes now turn to the final where Lakshya Sen looks to add his name to the select list of Indian champions at the All England Open and bring home the long awaited title.
When and where will All England Open 2026 Lakshya Sen vs Lin Chun-Yi final be played?
The men’s singles final between Lakshya Sen and Lin Chun-Yi at All England Open 2026 is scheduled to start at 17:20 IST. The match will take place at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England.
Where to watch All England Open 2026 badminton live in India?
Fans in India can watch live streaming of All England Open Badminton Championships 2026 on JioStar app and website. The matches will also be broadcast live on Star Sports Network.
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Published on:
March 8, 2026 10:22 AM IST
