India Open 2026: Lin Chun-yi Knocks Out Lakshya Sen to End India’s Campaign in Quarter-finals

India’s campaign at the India Open Super 750 came to a disappointing end on Friday after home favourite Lakshya Sen was knocked out in the men’s singles quarter-finals by Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-yi.

Playing in front of a packed and vocal crowd at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Lakshya fought hard but eventually fell 21-17, 13-21, 18-21 in a gruelling contest that lasted one hour and eight minutes. The defeat marked the end of India’s presence in the Super 750 tournament, underlining the challenges faced by Indian shuttlers in capitalising on home conditions.

Lakshya began the match with confidence and intensity, using his attacking game to dictate early exchanges. He controlled the pace in the opening game, forcing Lin into defensive positions and feeding off the energy of the home crowd to seal the first game 21-17. At that stage, the Indian appeared poised to carry the momentum forward.

However, Lin Chun-yi showcased remarkable composure and tactical discipline to turn the match around. In the second game, the world No. 12 tightened his defence, extended rallies, and exploited errors from Lakshya, who struggled to find consistency under pressure. Lin dominated the exchanges to take the game 21-13, shifting the momentum firmly in his favour.

The decider evolved into a physical and mental test for both players. Lakshya made a positive start, racing to a 4-1 lead, but as the rallies grew longer, signs of fatigue began to show. Lin, known for his patience and endurance, steadily clawed his way back into the contest. He absorbed the Indian’s attacks, waited for openings, and capitalised on unforced errors in the latter stages.

With the score finely balanced at 17-all, Lin raised his level once again, winning key points through superior rally construction and shot selection. He closed out the match 21-18, silencing the home crowd and booking his place in the semi-finals.

For Lakshya Sen, the defeat was another missed opportunity to make a deep run at a major home tournament. The India Open was viewed as a crucial event for Indian players to regain confidence after an inconsistent 2025 season. Instead, the early exit highlighted ongoing concerns around stamina, consistency, and the ability to handle pressure in decisive moments.

The result also extended a worrying trend for Indian badminton, with home advantage failing to translate into podium finishes at elite-level tournaments. Despite flashes of brilliance, the inability to close out tight matches continues to haunt the country’s top singles players.

Lin Chun-yi’s victory, on the other hand, reinforced his reputation as a resilient competitor capable of thriving in hostile environments. His calm approach and tactical clarity proved decisive against an unpredictable opponent, making him one of the standout performers of the quarter-final stage.

With Lakshya’s exit, India’s hopes at the India Open Super 750 were officially extinguished, leaving the focus on introspection and rebuilding as the international badminton season progresses.