India’s badminton sensation Lakshya Sen delivered a masterful performance at the All England Open 2026 in Birmingham, securing his quarterfinal spot with a hard-fought win over Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus on Thursday. Following his shock first-round triumph over title defender Shi Yu Qi, this 21-19, 21-23, 21-10 victory marked Sen’s breakthrough against Angus, ending a 0-3 head-to-head skid that included a 2023 Malaysia Masters loss.
Over 81 minutes of high-octane action, Sen controlled the narrative early. He built and held a lead in the first game, only for Angus to tie it at 19-all before Sen sealed it. The second frame flipped the script: Sen led 11-4, but Angus’s experience prevailed as he erased the deficit, saving four match points to level the score.
Sen owned the third game, overwhelming Angus 21-10 after the latter saved a match point at 20-9. ‘It was a solid battle. Angus deserves credit for the second-game fightback. I messed up easy shots late, but refocused perfectly for the decider,’ Sen said. He emphasized mental toughness: ‘Stick to what works, ignore mistakes, and execute in the third.’
This win propels the last-standing Indian in singles to face either Li Shi Feng or Nhat Nguyen next. Sen’s aggressive starts, tactical smarts, and clutch play signal he’s peaking at the right time for the All England, one of badminton’s crown jewels. Observers note his growth since the 2022 final, positioning him as a serious contender.