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 8:15 PM IST
Sen down by 2 points
Victor Lai presented with a smash opportunity and he hits it to Sen's backhand side. The Indian feels its wide and challenges and is proven wrong. Sen trails 17-19.
- 7 March 2026 8:14 PM IST
Lakshya goes wide
Another gruelling rally, 48 shots. It once again falls against Sen. He was in control and looked to employ a deceptive shot, turning the racquet at the last moment. It's a shot he has played extremely well this tournament, but fails this time around. Sen trails 16-18.
- 7 March 2026 8:13 PM IST
Excellent from Sen!
Lakshya surprises Lai with a drop shot from deep. The Canadian manages to lunge forward and return.
But Sen is lightning fast. He jumps into the net within the blink of an eye to get the point 16-16.
A service fault follows from Sen. The first of the evening as he returns the lead to Lai at 16-17.
- 7 March 2026 8:11 PM IST
Lai loses a challenge
Lakshya Sen's shot lands right on the back line. Lai feels otherwise and asks for a review. Proven wrong. Lakshya trails 15-16.
- 7 March 2026 8:10 PM IST
Errors amping up from Sen
Lakshya Sen has done well so far this tournament to keep his errors in check. But he has made a few of those this game, by hitting wide. Trails 13-16.
But as I type this, he wins back the point with a good deceptive shot. 14-16.
- 7 March 2026 8:09 PM IST
Is this a video game simulation?
A 44-shot rally and Victor Lai makes three diving retrievals. He forces Sen to lift and goes on an attack himself, but the Indian somehow succeeds in returning the shuttle.
A few more shots in the rally before Sen wins with a net dribble. Sen trails 13-15.
- 7 March 2026 8:06 PM IST
Intense play this
Lai once again pushes the shuttle into the net in a flat rally, gifting Sen a point.
Before Sen's defence, his trusted ally, betrays him on a hard hit smash. The Indian trails 11-14.
Lakshya comes out with vengeance in the next rally and absolutely picks the bone out the shuttle, while advancing to the net to catch Lai off-guard. Sen trails 12-14.
- 7 March 2026 8:04 PM IST
67-shot rally!
A 67-shot rally. This is now the longest rally of the match. Both players pushing each other to the limit and Lai eventually wins it by pushing forward and intercepting at the net. Sen trails 10-13.
- 7 March 2026 8:02 PM IST
Lakshya loses his challenge
Another intense rally and Lai brings out a good cross court shot, taking Sen by surprise. Sen feels its wide and asks for a challenge. Proven wrong. Sen trails 10-12.
- 7 March 2026 8:01 PM IST
Lai hits wide
A long rally and Lakshya has to pull out a diving retrieval. The Indian soon gains control of the rally and eventually wins the point as Lai smashes wide. 10-11.
