Lakshya stuns defending champ Shi Yuqi at All England C’ships

India’s Lakshya Sen produced a remarkable performance at the All England Championships in Birmingham, defeating defending champion and former world No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China in a thrilling three-game encounter. The 23-year-old showcased both mental resilience and physical intensity to secure his first victory over Shi in a BWF World Tour event, winning 23-21, 19-21, 21-17.
Lakshya started strong, racing to an 11-7 lead in the opening game with sharp smashes and precise net play. Though he squandered a sizeable advantage at 18-12, he held his nerve in a tense finish, finally clinching the game with a decisive cross-court smash. The second game saw Shi fight back, capitalizing on Lakshya’s brief dip in energy. Despite a spirited late surge from the Indian, Shi closed out the game 21-19 to force a decider.
The final game was a test of endurance and tactical discipline. Locked at 6-6 early on, Lakshya gradually pulled ahead, entering the mid-game interval with a narrow lead. His relentless pace and attacking precision pushed Shi into riskier strokes, and Lakshya extended his advantage to 16-11 with a series of winners. Though Shi attempted a comeback, Lakshya maintained composure, earning four match points and sealing the contest when Shi hit long.
Coach Vimal Kumar praised Lakshya’s calmness and attacking play, noting how he forced Shi to work hard for every point and eventually wore him down. The victory is seen as a major confidence booster for Lakshya, who had previously beaten Shi in the Asian Games team event in 2023.
In other results, Malvika Bansod lost to China’s Chen Yu Fei 11-21, 6-21, while India’s mixed doubles pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto registered a straight-games win over Malaysia’s Hoo Pang Ron and Cheng Su Yin, advancing further in the tournament.