Lakshya enters quarterfinals of All England Championships

Lakshya Sen showcased remarkable resilience and skill to reach the men’s singles quarterfinals of the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships in Birmingham. The world No. 12 defeated Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus in a thrilling round-of-16 clash, prevailing 21-19, 21-23, 21-10 after an intense battle lasting three games. The victory was particularly significant as Lakshya had lost all three of his previous encounters against Ng Ka Long, a former world top-10 player, making this triumph a statement of his growing maturity and confidence on the big stage.
The 2021 World Championships bronze medallist and 2022 All England finalist began the match under pressure, trailing early in the first game. However, he fought back with aggressive returns and sharp placements to establish a lead. Despite Ng Ka Long’s late surge, Lakshya sealed the opener with a decisive smash. In the second game, Lakshya appeared dominant, racing to an 11-4 lead with consistent shot quality and powerful smashes. Yet Ng Ka Long mounted a spirited comeback, saving multiple match points and eventually snatching the game 23-21, forcing a decider.
The setback could have rattled many players, but Lakshya displayed impressive mental strength. Resetting his focus, he surged ahead in the third game with robust defence and clever deception at the net. His ability to wriggle out of tight positions and inject pace into rallies left Ng Ka Long struggling. Lakshya built a commanding lead, drawing errors from his opponent and capitalizing on weak returns. By the interval, he had a six-point cushion, and from there he never looked back. With relentless attacking play and superb anticipation, he raced to 18-7 before earning 11 match points. He converted comfortably as Ng Ka Long faltered, sealing the contest with authority.
The victory highlighted Lakshya’s adaptability, stamina, and tactical acumen. His ability to recover after losing a tight second game and dominate the decider underscored his growing reputation as one of India’s most promising shuttlers. He now advances to face either China’s sixth seed Li Shi Feng or Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in the quarterfinals, setting up another high-stakes encounter.
Lakshya’s performance not only strengthens his campaign at the All England Championships but also reinforces his status as a consistent contender on the world stage. His grit, composure, and attacking flair have once again ignited hopes of a deep run in one of badminton’s most prestigious tournaments.