Lakshya Sen Withdraws from Thomas Cup Semifinal Against France Due to Injury
Lakshya Sen's Injury Forces Withdrawal
Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen will not compete in the Thomas Cup semifinal against France, scheduled for Saturday evening (May 2) in Horsens, Denmark. This decision comes after he suffered an elbow injury during his quarterfinal match against Chou Tien Chen from Chinese Taipei.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) confirmed, "Lakshya Sen will not be participating in today’s semi-final tie against France in the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026. He sustained an elbow impact following an intense quarterfinal match that involved multiple dives." The medical team evaluated his condition and opted for this precautionary measure to ensure he has enough time to recover and be fit for the final, should India advance. He is currently under medical supervision and receiving necessary care. The team is hopeful for his quick recovery and return to form.
In the quarterfinals, Lakshya delivered an impressive performance, defeating World No. 6 Chou Tien Chen in a grueling 88-minute match, with scores of 18-21, 22-20, 21-17. This match was a test of endurance, especially after his previous two losses against Viktor Lai and Li Shi Feng, both of which exceeded an hour. After losing the first game, Lakshya fought back in the second, winning 22-20 to keep India's hopes alive.
The final game was tightly contested, with the score tied at 6-6 before Lakshya surged ahead. His strategic play, including effective crosscourt smashes and net control, put pressure on Chou, who struggled to keep up. Despite some unforced errors, Lakshya secured match point with a precise crosscourt smash, ultimately giving India a crucial 1-0 lead in the quarterfinals.
Lakshya's absence is a significant setback for India, especially since the first three matches in the semifinal against France will be singles. The top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, are expected to compete in the fifth match. France, having recently defeated Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals, poses a formidable challenge, with their singles players Christo Popov, Alex Lanier, and Toma Junior Popov all winning their matches in straight games. In Lakshya's place, Ayush Shetty will take on Christo in the opening singles, while Kidambi Srikanth faces Alex Lanier, and HS Prannoy, who was not part of the quarterfinal team, will compete against Toma Junior.