Lakshya Sen defeated world number one Shi Yu Qi 23-21, 19-21, 21-17 in the Round of 32 on Tuesday, 3 March, at the All England Open 2026
Shi Yu Qi struggled with lifts and key errors, while Sen stayed composed and turned the match in his favor in the decider
Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto secure a 21-17, 21-19 win over Malaysia, keeping India’s momentum alive
Lakshya Sen Vs Shi Yu Qi, All England Open 2026: Sen Stuns World No. 1 In Dramatic Upset
Lakshya Sen beat world number one Shi Yu Qi 23-21, 19-21, 21-17 in the Round of 32 at the All England Open 2026, claiming a landmark win after nearly three years
Summary
India’s Lakshya Sen pulled off a sensational upset in the Round of 32 at the All England Open 2026, defeating world number one Shi Yu Qi on Tuesday, 3 March, at the Utilita Arena Birmingham.
The Indian shuttler edged the opening game 23-21 in a contest that had both players exchanging furious rallies and testing each other’s stamina and skill. Despite Shi’s reputation for clinical finishes, Sen capitalized on key errors and kept his composure in critical moments to take the lead early on.
Shi Yu Qi bounced back in the second game, exploiting a few unforced mistakes from Sen and applying relentless pressure to take it 21-19. The world champion’s speed and precision at the net challenged Sen repeatedly, but the Indian remained calm, choosing his moments to attack and patiently waiting for openings to strike back.
The day also saw success for India’s mixed doubles pair, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, who advanced with a 21-17, 21-19 win over Malaysia’s Hoo Pang Ron and Cheng Su Yin, adding to the celebrations from the Indian contingent.
The decider was a tense, edge-of-the-seat affair. Both players traded points in long, punishing rallies, with Sen gradually asserting himself through smart net play and accurate lifts that pushed Shi into risky returns.
At 16-11, Sen unleashed a series of cross-court winners and down-the-line smashes, steadily building a cushion. The defining moment came when Shi hit long on match point, handing Sen a hard-fought 21-17 victory.
This victory marks Sen’s first BWF World Tour win over Shi Yu Qi, a milestone that comes nearly three years after his previous win against the Chinese shuttler at the 2023 Asian Games team event.
The win provides a major confidence boost as he advances to the Round of 16, setting up another intriguing encounter with Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus.
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