Lakshya Sen's Epic 97-Minute Semifinal Win Sends Him to All England Final

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-03-08

Lakshya Sen, India's badminton star, just pulled off something incredible. He fought his way into the finals of the 2026 All England Open Badminton Championships in a match that tested every ounce of his being. It took him nearly 97 minutes of pure grit to overcome Canada's rising talent, Victor Lai, in a semifinal that will be talked about for years. This win isn't just another notch on his belt. It secures his spot in the men's singles final against Lin Chun-Yi from Chinese Taipei. That upcoming match promises to be another nail-biter. More importantly, reaching this final cements Sen's status as one of the true global elites in the sport right now. For fans back in India, this moment is huge. The All England Open is the crown jewel of the BWF World Tour. It's steeped in over a century of history and prestige. Winning here is a dream for any player, and Sen is now one match away from making it a reality. ### Breaking Down the Semifinal Battle Let's get into the details of that marathon match. It was a classic three-game thriller that swung back and forth. - **Game 1:** Sen came out firing, taking it 21-16 with aggressive smashes and smart, controlled rallies. - **Game 2:** Lai showed why he's a force to be reckoned with, fighting back to win 21-18 and force a deciding third game. - **Game 3:** Even though he was visibly drained, Sen's determination shone through. He dug deep to close it out 21-15, booking his ticket to the championship. The final scoreline tells the story: a hard-fought 2-1 victory for the Indian sensation. ### A True Test of Stamina and Will This wasn't just about badminton skills. It was a brutal, physical war of attrition. Sen pushed through obvious pain and muscle cramps, refusing to yield. The rallies were epic, with some exchanges stretching past fifty shots. One particular rally reportedly lasted an insane eighty-six strokes – a pure test of endurance. Victor Lai himself acknowledged Sen's mental edge after the match. He noted, “Lakshya was mentally stronger and played the third set smarter.” That ability to stay cool under pressure and execute the big points is what separates champions from contenders. ### Sen's Path to the 2026 Final Sen's run to the final hasn't been a fluke. He's been beating top-tier players all week. His path through the tournament looks like a who's who of badminton: - **Round of 32:** Defeated Shi Yuqi (China) - **Round of 16:** Defeated Kenta Nishimoto (Japan) - **Quarterfinal:** Defeated world No. 6 Li Shi Feng (China) in straight games - **Semifinal:** Defeated Victor Lai (Canada) in that epic 97-minute clash He's now set to face Lin Chun-Yi in the final. By taking down such a gauntlet of opponents, Sen has proven his semifinal performance was no accident. He's here on merit. ### A Historic Chance for India Here's why this final means so much. The All England Open is one of the most prestigious titles in all of sports. In its long history, only two Indian players have ever won it. - Prakash Padukone (1980) - Pullela Gopichand (2001) Lakshya Sen now has a golden opportunity to become the third name on that legendary list. By simply reaching this final, he's already made history as only the second Indian ever to achieve this feat twice. The entire nation will be watching, hoping he can complete the journey. ### Who is Victor Lai? While Sen rightfully takes the headlines, we should tip our hat to his opponent, Victor Lai. At just 21 years old, the Canadian is making serious waves. His aggressive, attacking style has already taken him to a World Championship semifinal. This performance against Sen, even in defeat, announces his arrival on the world stage. His rise has been rapid, and he's a name you'll be hearing more of. So, what's next? All eyes turn to the final. After a battle like that, how does Sen recover? Can he summon one more monumental effort to make history? One thing's for sure – he's earned his place there, and no one will doubt his heart or his stamina when he steps onto that court.