2 weeks ago
Lakshya Sen Rallies Past Filimon After Tactical Change
Lakshya Sen lost the first game of his badminton match.
He was playing short shots, which helped his taller opponent, Valentine Filimon.
Sen then changed his plan.
He used more lifts and made the rallies longer.
This gave him more chances to attack.
He won the second game 21-8 and the third game 21-4.
The whole match lasted 45 minutes.
Sen now moves on to play Garret Tan of the United States.
Lakshya Sen defeated Bulgaria’s Valentine Filimon 16-21, 21-8, 21-4 in 45 minutes.
The 14th-seeded Indian recovered after losing the opening game at the 2026 BWF World Championships.
Sen said playing short and attempting drives initially allowed the taller Filimon to control rallies.
He switched to lifts, longer rallies and a more open game in the second and third sets.
Sen will face American Garret Tan in the round of 32 after Tan beat Switzerland’s Tobias Kuenzi.
- Who
- India’s Lakshya Sen and Bulgaria’s Valentine Filimon competed in the match; Sen’s next opponent is Garret Tan of the United States.
- What
- Sen came from behind to defeat Filimon 16-21, 21-8, 21-4 in the opening round.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- When
- The match took place during the 2026 BWF World Championships; no specific date is provided.
- Why
- Sen advanced after changing tactics by using lifts, opening up the game and extending rallies.
Key facts
- Event
- BWF World Championships 2026
- Round
- Opening round, or round of 64
- Result
- Lakshya Sen defeated Valentine Filimon
- Score
- 16-21, 21-8, 21-4
- Match duration
- 45 minutes
- Sen’s seeding
- 14th seed
- Next match
- Round of 32 against Garret Tan
Quotes
Lakshya Sen
Indian badminton player, 14th seed at the World Championships
“"I think in the first set, I was playing very short. When I was going for drives, I wasn’t getting any points because he’s tall and he can easily play those shots. In the second set, I tried to open up the game a bit more. I took a few lifts game in the rallies, and then I was able to play my shots."”
firstpost.com
Sources
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