Fresh off a shock first-round upset over defending champion Shi Yu Qi, the 24-year-old extended his dream run in Birmingham. The 1 hour 21-minute marathon saw Sen claim his maiden win against Angus, ending a three-match losing streak that included the 2023 Malaysia Masters.

Dominating the first game with aggressive play, Sen edged ahead despite Angus’s late surge to 19-19. Two vital points sealed it. The second game flipped the script: Sen led 11-4, but Angus’s veteran guile shone through, saving multiple match points to level the tie.

Sen reset brilliantly in the decider, overwhelming Angus 21-10 with precise smashes and unerring net play. Post-match, Sen praised his opponent’s resilience: ‘Angus made a solid comeback in the second. I gave away easy points at the end, but coming out firing in the third felt great.’

Reflecting on strategy, he added, ‘Tactically, I was on point early on. The key was forgetting mistakes and refocusing on what worked.’ Angus nearly turned the tide in the third at 20-9, but Sen’s lead held firm.

Now the lone Indian survivor in singles, Sen faces either China’s Li Shifeng or Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen next. This performance underscores Sen’s evolution from 2022 finalist to a top contender, boosting India’s campaign at one of badminton’s most prestigious events.