Lakshya Sen's tactical reset powers comeback win at BWF Worlds 2025
Synopsis
Down a game and hamstrung by a tricky drift on his starting end, Lakshya Sen flipped the script at the BWF World Championships — switching from flat drives to longer rallies to expose Filimon's limited mobility and winning the last two games 21-8 and 21-4. The tactical clarity in those final 14 minutes of the decider is the story.
Key Takeaways
Lakshya Sen beat Austria's Collins Filimon 16-21, 21-8, 21-4 in the BWF World Championships Round of 64 on 18 August in New Delhi .
Sen dropped the first game after flat, short-drive exchanges played into Filimon's height advantage.
A mid-match switch to longer rallies and higher lifts turned the contest decisively in Sen's favour.
Court drift on his starting end made shuttle control difficult in game one; switching ends helped Sen execute freely.
Sen won the third game 21-4 in just 14 minutes .
Compatriot Ayush Shetty also made headlines by defeating world No.
1 Shi Yu Qi on the same day.
Lakshya Sen overcame a first-game deficit to defeat Austria's Collins Filimon 16-21, 21-8, 21-4 in the men's singles Round of 64 at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi on Tuesday, 18 August. The Indian shuttler credited a mid-match tactical overhaul and a sharper read of court conditions at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium for the turnaround.
What Went Wrong in Game One
Sen admitted his opening game plan inadvertently suited Filimon's strengths. The Austrian, who carries a significant height advantage, was comfortable in flat, short-drive exchanges and gradually pulled away to take the first game 21-16. 'In the first set, I was playing very short drives. And then, when I was going in for drives, he was tall, and he was playing those shots very easily, and I was getting stuck playing those shots,' Sen told reporters after the match.
The drift on his starting end compounded the problem. Sen began on the side of the court where the air movement was stronger, causing his lifts to fall short and handing Filimon easy interceptions at the net.
The Mid-Match Adjustment
Between games, Sen recalibrated his approach — shifting from flat exchanges to longer rallies and higher lifts that neutralised Filimon's reach advantage. 'In the second set, I tried to open up the game a bit more. I took a few lifts and rallies, and then I was able to play my shots freely,' he said.
Switching ends also helped. Playing into a more favourable drift in the second and third games, Sen found the shuttle control he had lacked in the opener. The coaching staff reinforced the message during the break, focusing on shuttle height and patience. 'They were just telling me to lift a little bit higher and not get into flat drives. Because he was tall and covered the whole court very easily. And then just being patient for my chances and creating better chances to attack,' Sen explained.
A Dominant Finish
The adjustments produced an immediate and decisive effect. Sen took the second game 21-8 before producing an even more commanding performance in the decider, closing it out 21-4 in just 14 minutes. The contrast with the opening game was stark — from errors and restricted shot-making to controlled, attacking badminton.
Indian Camp Buoyed by Ayush Shetty's Upset
Sen's win came on a day of broader celebration for the Indian badminton contingent. Young shuttler Ayush Shetty produced one of the tournament's biggest upsets, defeating world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi. Sen acknowledged the team's collective excitement. 'I saw the match, and it was a great victory. We were all supporting Ayush to win, and he did great. So I wish him luck for the coming matches,' Sen said.
With his opening hurdle cleared, Sen will look to carry the momentum of his third-game display into the next round of the championships.
Point of View
However, suggests his adaptability under pressure remains a genuine asset as the championship progresses into tougher rounds.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Lakshya Sen's match at the BWF World Championships?
Lakshya Sen defeated Austria's Collins Filimon 16-21, 21-8, 21-4 in the men's singles Round of 64 at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi on 18 August. Sen lost the first game before dominating the next two.
Why did Lakshya Sen lose the first game to Collins Filimon?
Sen's initial game plan relied on short, flat drives that suited Filimon's height advantage, allowing the Austrian to control rallies easily. A stronger court drift on Sen's starting end also made his lifts fall short, compounding the problem.
What tactical changes did Lakshya Sen make after the first game?
Sen shifted from flat, short-drive exchanges to longer rallies and higher lifts, neutralising Filimon's reach. His coaching staff reinforced the adjustment during the break, advising him to be patient and avoid flat drives.
How dominant was Lakshya Sen in the final game of the match?
Sen won the third game 21-4 in just 14 minutes, a stark contrast to the closely contested first game. It was one of the most one-sided deciders of the tournament's opening rounds.
Who is Ayush Shetty and what did he achieve at the BWF World Championships?
Ayush Shetty is a young Indian shuttler who produced one of the tournament's biggest upsets by defeating world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi on the same day as Sen's match. Sen publicly praised Shetty's performance and wished him luck in subsequent rounds.
