Lakshya Sen Stuns Li Shi Feng to Advance to Semifinals of All England Open 2026
Synopsis
In a stunning performance, Lakshya Sen eliminated sixth seed Li Shi Feng at the All England Open 2026, securing his spot in the semifinals. This victory highlights Sen's remarkable journey in the tournament, as he aims for the title, one match at a time.
Key Takeaways
Impressive Victory: Lakshya Sen defeated former champion Li Shi Feng.
Semifinal Showdown: Sen will compete against Victor Lai next.
Strong Start: Sen has had significant wins against top-tier opponents.
Focused Mindset: He emphasizes taking one match at a time.
Indian Representation: Sen is the last Indian player remaining in the tournament.
Birmingham, March 7 (NationPress) Lakshya Sen, India’s leading men’s singles badminton player, continued his impressive journey at the All England Open 2026 by defeating the sixth seed and former champion Li Shi Feng in straight games. This decisive victory secured him a place in the semifinals on Friday night.
Sen, who was the finalist in the 2022 All England, triumphed over Li with scores of 21-13, 21-16 in just one hour. He is set to face Canada’s Victor Lai in the semifinals after Lai overcame Japan’s Koki Watanabe with scores of 18-21, 21-17, 21-15 in another quarterfinal.
The 24-year-old Sen is the sole Indian remaining in the tournament, having kicked off his campaign with a notable win against top seed and defending champion Shi Yu Qi, followed by a victory over Hong Kong's seasoned player, NG Ka Long Angus, in the second round.
Exuding confidence, Sen entered the quarterfinals with a balanced head-to-head record of 7-7 against Li. He adopted an assertive strategy, taking a 10-4 lead in the first game before Li narrowed the gap to 15-13. However, Sen surged ahead, winning six consecutive points to clinch the first game.
The second game proved to be equally competitive as Li started strong, even holding a one-point lead at the mid-game interval. Nevertheless, Sen turned the tide by scoring four consecutive points from a 14-13 deficit, maintaining his lead to secure his semifinal spot.
After the match, Sen remarked on his focus during the lengthy rallies, saying, *“There were numerous long rallies which left me fatigued. But my coach reminded me that Li was also tiring, so I concentrated on avoiding mistakes.”* He emphasized that he would not look too far ahead towards the title, preferring instead to focus on recovery before the semifinals, stating, *“I’ll take it one match at a time.”*
Point of View
Lakshya Sen's remarkable victory at the All England Open 2026 showcases not only his talent but also the potential of Indian badminton on the global stage. His journey emphasizes resilience and determination, resonating with sports enthusiasts across the nation.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Lakshya Sen defeat to reach the semifinals?
Lakshya Sen defeated sixth seed Li Shi Feng to reach the semifinals of the All England Open 2026.
What were the scores of the quarterfinal match?
Sen won the match against Li Shi Feng with scores of 21-13, 21-16.
Who will Lakshya Sen face in the semifinals?
Lakshya Sen will face Canada’s Victor Lai in the semifinals.
How did Sen perform in previous rounds?
Sen began his campaign with an upset win over defending champion Shi Yu Qi and later defeated NG Ka Long Angus.
What is Sen's strategy in matches?
Sen focuses on maintaining consistency and minimizing mistakes during long rallies.
