Badminton
All England Open 2026: Lakshya Sen enters Final – Highlights
Highlights from the semifinals of the 2026 All England Open.
Lakshya Sen will make his third semifinal appearance in Birmingham. (Photo credit: BWF/Badminton Photo)
All England Open 2026 LIVE: India’s Lakshya Sen made his way into the final of the 2026 All England Open Super 1000 with a hard fought win over Canada's Victor Lai in Birmingham on Saturday.
In a marathon 97-minute contest, Sen prevailed 21-16, 18-21, 15-21, battling through blisters, and cramps.
Sen will take on Chinese Taipei's Lin Chun Yi in the title clash on Sunday.
Here’s a look at Lakshya’s outings in the earlier rounds:
Round of 32: bt Shi Yuqi (1) 23-21, 19-21, 21-17
Round of 16: bt Ng Ka Long Angus 21-19, 21-23, 21-10
Quarterfinal: bt Li Shifeng (6) 21-13, 21-16
Highlights:
Live Updates
- 7 March 2026 8:33 PM IST
86-SHOT RALLY!
A long rally with both players happy to just keep going with zero attacking instinct. This has started to fell like a warm-up session. Who'll blink first?
Lakshya it is, as he suddenly ups the tempo and takes Lai by surprise. The Canadian manages to return the shuttle still, twice from an awkward position.
The umpire stops the rally. He feels the shuttle hit Lai's body in the defence. He is unhappy with that call, but can't do anything. The replays show, Lai was clean with the defence.
But unfortunately, it brings end to an 86-shot rally. Sen leads 5-4.
- 7 March 2026 8:30 PM IST
Lai equalises
Sen continues to operate full throttle and is jumping around the court. A good drop shot from the Indian, but unfortunately it has landed wide. Lai equalises at 4-4.
- 7 March 2026 8:29 PM IST
Not much it seems, as Lai wins the first point after that medical break and has reduced the deficit to a point at 3-4.
- 7 March 2026 8:28 PM IST
Medical attention for Lai
Victor Lai made a diving retrieve in the last rally and seems to have picked up an injury. He is bleeding from his right ring finger and requires medical attention.
Unfortunately for Lai, he is right handed. So how much is this going to affect his game?
- 7 March 2026 8:27 PM IST
Lakshya with a two-point lead
No drop in intensity so far in this match. Both players pushing hard. Lakshya on constant attacks and Lai on the defensive.
Sen leads 4-2 and it seems this will be a battle of will power and stamina.
- 7 March 2026 8:24 PM IST
Long rallies continue...
A long rally early on and Sen emerges on top this time around with a good drop shot. Lai can't return. 2-1 for the Indian.
- 7 March 2026 8:22 PM IST
An error in judgement from Lai
Victor Lai with an error in judgement at the backline and it hands Lakshya Sen the first point in the decider. 1-0.
- 7 March 2026 8:20 PM IST
Lakshya Sen once again tending to his blister in the break. He will have to be his absolute best in the decider to break through Lai's defences.
- 7 March 2026 8:19 PM IST
Victor Lai forces a decider!
Lai pulls Sen forward to the net for a defensive shot and the Indian has lifted wide.
Victor Lai forces a decider. He wins the second game 21-18.
- 7 March 2026 8:18 PM IST
2 GAME POINTS, LAI!
Another long rally and Lai hangs on for the longest part with his trademark defensive returns. One of Sen's smashes is too powerful, however, to return. Sen trails 18-19.
Sen making Lai move to all four corners in the next rally. It just keeps going and going, before Sen tries to force things. He leaps onto the net and hits the shuttle flush into it after a 49-shot rally.
Lai has 2 game points!
