India Open 2026: Lakshya Sen crashes out – Highlights

Once again a lot of chatter in the Indian camp with both Yoo Yong Sung and DK Sen with quite a bit of advice for their ward.

Sen has struggled to adjust to the requirements from the near end. His backline judgement has been terrible and multiple shots have landed long, just like Lin in the first game.

Is there a comeback from this point or is Sen going to be forced into a decider?

 

Sen Trails at the mid-game interval!

Another poor leave at the backline from Sen before his shot once again lands long as he trails 5-10.

A cross court smash then lands wide from Sen. The Indian trails 5-11 at the mid-game interval.

Sen sticking to his plan

Sen continues to challenge Lin to hit those round-the-head smashes from the deep. He goes long yet again before a jump cross court smash from Lin takes the Chinese Taipei shuttler to an 8-5 lead.

Lin draws level

An error in judgement at the backline and then a lift gone long from Sen helps Lin Chun Yi draw level at 5-5.

Sen's lift then goes long yet again and the Chinese Taipei shuttler now has a 6-5 lead. A quick towel break from Sen. 

Sen on the attack!

A run of four straight points from Lakshya Sen as he imposes himself with some attacking badminton. A good half-smash and then an well placed shot to go 5-2 up.

Good start to the second game

Sen now testing the left-handed Lin at his backhand. He is forcing him to hit those round-the-head smashes.

Lin wins the first point with a smash, before an identical shot lands into the net. Sen challenges him in the same direction again but this time his lift is wide.

Sen trails 1-2 in the second game.

Lakshya Sen takes the opening game!

Lin Chun Yi saves one more game point with a good smash but eventually the lift once again becomes his nemesis. 

Lakshya Sen wins the opening game 21-17 in 20 minutes!

5 game points for Sen

Another lift from Lin, which lands wide and Lakshya Sen has five game points at 20-15.

Lin pulls one back almost immediately with a brilliant down-the-line smash. No way Sen was retrieving that shot to his backhand side. The Indian leads 20-16. 

Lin loses challenge

Lin Chun Yi is struggling to keep the shuttle inside the backline. Another lift which lands long. He asks for a review and is proven wrong.

It is followed by another lift to Sen's forehand corner, landing wide.

The Indian leads 19-13.