BIRMINGHAM, England – In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, India’s Lakshya Sen powered into the quarterfinals of the All England Open 2026 on Thursday, overcoming Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus in a gripping three-game pre-quarterfinal clash.
The 24-year-old Indian, who made waves as the 2022 All England finalist, scripted a comeback victory with a scoreline of 21-19, 21-23, 21-10 after an intense 81-minute battle. This win marks Sen’s first-ever triumph over Angus, reversing a previous 0-3 head-to-head deficit, including a notable loss at the 2023 Malaysia Masters.
Sen burst out of the blocks in the opener, maintaining a slender lead throughout. Angus clawed back to level at 19-19 with three straight points, but Sen held his nerve, clinching the game with two decisive points. The second game saw Sen surge to an 11-4 advantage, only for the experienced Hong Kong shuttler to mount a stunning fightback. Angus saved four match points from 17-20 and 20-21, forcing a decider.
The third game was a one-sided affair, with Sen dominating 21-10, showcasing tactical superiority and ruthless finishing. ‘Both games were solid, credit to Angus for that comeback in the second,’ Sen reflected post-match. ‘I didn’t execute well at the end of the second, giving away easy shots. But I refocused for the third and am thrilled with how I played.’
Angus pushed hard, even saving a match point at 20-9 in the decider, but the gap proved too wide. Sen credited his tactical consistency: ‘My game plan worked in both early games; I just deviated in the final points. Forgetting the first two and sticking to the plan in the third was key.’
As the last remaining Indian in men’s singles, Sen now awaits the winner of China’s sixth seed Li Shifeng and Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen. This victory not only avenges past defeats but signals Sen’s growing prowess on the world stage, keeping India’s badminton hopes alive in Birmingham.