Lakshya Sen Advances to All England Open Final, Aiming for Historic Win
Lakshya Sen's Historic Achievement
On March 7, Lakshya Sen etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian badminton player since Prakash Padukone to reach the All England Open finals twice. He secured his spot with a hard-fought victory over Canada's Victor Lai, winning 21-16, 18-21, 21-15 at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. Previously, Lakshya was the runner-up in the 2022 edition of this prestigious Super 1000 event. Prakash Padukone, who made history by winning the All England Open in 1980, also reached the finals twice, finishing as a runner-up in 1981. Now, Lakshya has the opportunity to become the first Indian to win the All England Open in over 25 years, with Pullela Gopichand being the last to claim the title in 2001. Saina Nehwal reached the women's singles final in 2015 but fell short in her bid for the title. In the final, Lakshya will face Lin Chun-Yi from Chinese Taipei, who surprised World No. 2 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the semifinals with a score of 21-14, 18-21, 21-16. This final will feature World No. 11 Lin against World No. 12 Lakshya, marking a unique matchup between two players outside the top 10.
Overcoming Injury Challenges
The match was a true test of endurance, with both players requiring medical assistance at various points. Lakshya faced a concerning moment when he strained his left thigh while leading 16-13 in the deciding game. Despite this setback, he maintained his composure and emerged victorious in a thrilling 97-minute contest, with his support team providing crucial thigh massages during breaks to keep him in top form. Throughout the tournament, Lakshya played four matches, three of which went to three games, each lasting over an hour. He defeated World No. 1 Shi Yuqi in the first round in 78 minutes, Ng Ka Long Angus in 81 minutes in the second round, and Li Shi Feng in the quarterfinals in one hour.
On Saturday, Lakshya showcased his impressive form, remaining alert at the net and targeting the back corners of his opponent from the baseline. His jump smashes were accurate, often aimed at Lai's body, while his down-the-line smashes and wristy flicks proved too challenging for his opponent. After winning the first game, Lai mounted a comeback in the second, but Lakshya managed to narrow the gap before ultimately losing 18-21. In the final game, Lakshya maintained his lead from the start, and despite Lai's attempts to recover, he did not allow any openings after going ahead 15-13. He concluded the intense match with a burst of celebration.
While Lakshya has already made history by matching Prakash Padukone's achievement, he is aware that true greatness is defined by winning. With his second appearance in the All England Open final, he is now focused on achieving a significant milestone—becoming the first Indian since Gopichand to win the coveted title.