Lakshya Sen leads India at All England Open, clinches semifinal berth with sensational win

In a defining moment for Indian badminton at the prestigious YONEX All England Open Championships 2026 , world No. 12 Lakshya Sen delivered a breathtaking performance to storm into the men’s singles semifinals on Friday, 6 March 2026, defeating China’s Li Shi Feng 21-13, 21-16 in the quarter-final and igniting national pride with a commanding straight-games victory.

From the outset, Sen looked in supreme control on court at the Utilita Arena Birmingham, showcasing his refined shot‑making and tactical maturity. Against the formidable world No. 6, Sen produced a dazzling display of attacking prowess and defensive grit to overcome the Chinese star in straight games , sealing his place in the final four and marking one of the biggest nights of the event for Indian sport.

Sen’s remarkable journey in this All England campaign has been a narrative of resilience and peak performance. It began with a stunning opening‑round upset over defending champion and world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi, a thrilling three‑game victory that showcased Sen’s tactical acumen and mental toughness early in the tournament. He then knuckled down in a hard‑fought Round of 16 match against Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus, eventually prevailing 21‑19, 21‑23, 21‑10 in an intense hour‑plus battle to reach the quarterfinals.

Friday’s quarterfinal clash built up into a highly anticipated showdown, with Sen carrying the hopes of India as the sole remaining Indian competitor in the singles draw . A commanding 21‑13 first game set the tone, and Sen maintained his momentum to close out the match in straight sets, advancing confidently into the semifinals later in the weekend.

While Sen’s triumph was the spotlight act, the tournament continued to produce thrilling results across categories. Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn also booked his spot in the men’s singles semifinals with an assured performance, reinforcing the global competitiveness of this Super‑1000 event.

Sen’s All England run, marked by a signature upset over the world No. 1, a gritty three‑setter in the last 16, and a dominant quarterfinal win, has captured the imagination of fans and exemplifies the rising stature of Indian badminton on the world stage. As he prepares for Saturday’s semifinal showdown, all eyes will be on Sen to see if he can ride this storm of form all the way to the title.