In a match brimming with drama and determination, Lakshya Sen of India secured his place in the All England Open 2026 quarterfinals, toppling Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus 21-19, 21-23, 21-10 in a 1-hour-21-minute thriller on Thursday.
The victory – Sen’s first against Angus after three prior losses, including 2023 Malaysia Masters – follows his giant-killing act over defending champion Shi Yu Qi in round one. The 2022 finalist controlled the first game with sustained pressure, repelling a 19-19 equalizer to win narrowly.
The second stanza turned into a rollercoaster: Sen’s early 11-4 dominance was undone by Angus’s relentless recovery. The Hong Kong player saved four match points, forcing a decider with sheer willpower.
Sen roared back in the third, cruising 21-10 with flawless execution. ‘Very competitive games – hats off to Angus’s second-game resurgence,’ he noted. ‘I played poorly at the end there, gifting points. But gearing up mentally for the third and delivering thrilled me.’
Emphasizing adaptability, Sen shared, ‘Tactics were spot-on initially; I just strayed in crunch time with mistakes. The mindset shift – ignoring the past and doubling down on the effective strategy – won it.’ Angus fought valiantly, saving at 20-9, but couldn’t bridge the gap.
Sole Indian left in men’s singles, Sen anticipates China’s Li Shifeng or Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen. This breakthrough performance cements Sen’s status as an elite player, promising more fireworks as the All England Open intensifies in Birmingham.