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India's leading men's singles badminton player, Lakshya Sen, showcased his exceptional skills at the All England Open 2026 by defeating sixth seed and former champion Li Shi Feng in straight sets. The match concluded on Friday night, with Sen winning 21-13, 21-16 in just one hour, securing his place in the semifinals.

Having reached the finals in 2022, Sen's victory sets him up for a semifinal match against Canada's Victor Lai, who triumphed over Japan's Koki Watanabe with scores of 18-21, 21-17, 21-15 in the other quarterfinal.

The 24-year-old Sen, the sole Indian competitor remaining in the tournament, began his journey with a surprising win against top seed and defending champion Shi Yu Qi. He followed this up with a victory over the seasoned NG Ka Long Angus from Hong Kong in the second round. Entering the quarterfinals, Sen was brimming with confidence, holding a balanced head-to-head record of 7-7 against Li.

In the opening game, Sen, currently ranked 12th in the world, took an aggressive stance, establishing a 10-4 lead. Although Li managed to narrow the gap to 15-13, Sen responded decisively by winning six consecutive points to clinch the first game.

The second game proved to be more competitive, with Li starting strong and even leading at the mid-game interval. However, Sen rallied back, scoring four consecutive points from a 14-13 deficit to take control and ultimately secure his semifinal spot.

After the match, Sen reflected on his performance, emphasizing the importance of minimizing errors during the lengthy rallies, which left both players fatigued. He noted, "There were a lot of long rallies, and I was getting tired. But the coach reminded me that he was also fatigued, so I focused on avoiding mistakes."

Sen also expressed his intention to concentrate on recovery ahead of the semifinals, stating, "I will take it one match at a time and not think too far ahead about the title."