Lakshya Sen suffered a shock second-round exit on the BWF World Championships after shedding to USA’s 18-year-old Garret Tan in an exhilarating three-game contest in New Delhi on Wednesday.
IMAGE: Lakshya Sen in motion. {Photograph}: ANI Picture/Neeraj
Key Factors
- Lakshya Sen suffers shock exit, shedding to 18-year-old USA participant Garret Tan in three video games.
- Tan phases a surprising comeback, overcoming Sen after shedding the opening recreation 19-21.
- Sen admits disappointment, whereas giving credit score to Tan for producing a strong efficiency.
- Tan celebrates largest win of his profession, advancing to the third spherical on the World Championships.
Lakshya Sen suffered a surprising exit from the BWF World Championships 2026 after taking place 19-21, 21-19, 21-17 to USA’s 18-year-old world No. 92 Garret Tan in a fiercely contested second-round match in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Taking part in in entrance of an enthusiastic dwelling crowd on the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Sen began brightly however was unable to comprise Tan’s aggressive and fearless method because the American produced the most important win of his profession to knock out the world No. 14, in accordance with ESPN.
Garret Tan Stuns Lakshya Sen In Three-Sport Thriller
The opening recreation remained carefully fought, with Tan holding a slender 11-10 lead on the interval. Sen, nonetheless, managed to remain composed within the closing phases and edged forward to take the sport 21-19.
Tan responded strongly within the second recreation, constructing an early 9-4 benefit and sustaining his lead by the center phases. Sen tried to battle again late and saved 4 recreation factors after Tan had earned 5, however the American finally sealed the sport 21-19 with a smash winner to pressure a decider.
Tan as soon as once more made the stronger begin within the deciding recreation, racing to a 7-2 lead earlier than extending it to 11-4 on the interval.
Sen Admits Disappointment
Sen, enjoying from the aspect the place the drift had troubled gamers all through the day, produced a decided comeback after the change of ends. The Indian used his counter-attacking recreation successfully to cut back the deficit to 13-10 after which 17-15.
Tan, nonetheless, held his nerve after receiving medical help for a head damage and moved to 4 match factors. Sen saved one, however the American transformed the following alternative to finish a memorable victory.
Lakshya credited Garret for his win after the match. “I feel, he was only a higher participant on court docket at the moment. So yeah, I’d give lots of credit score to him.”
“There isn’t a damage as such. I imply, it was a really powerful match. He took a medical break, I feel on the shut of the third set. I feel total it was a really hard-fought match. And I gave it my all, no matter I had within the tank. And in the direction of the top of the third set, I used to be additionally exhausted bodily. However once more, total I’d say I’d give lots of credit score to him. He performed a really strong recreation. Additionally somewhat bit disillusioned with myself. I imply, despite the fact that I do know I gave it my all and no matter I had, I attempted. I feel the efficiency, I’d say, was not on top of things,” Sen stated.
“It is a massive event and I imply it is gonna most likely damage somewhat bit extra however once more we’ve got lots of massive tournaments developing so simply targeted on that and can put together for that,” he added.
18-Yr-Outdated Tan Celebrates Greatest Win Of His Profession
For Tan, the victory was a breakthrough second on the most important stage.
“I am nonetheless speechless proper now. I simply can’t consider I am enjoying tomorrow,” Tan stated after defeating the 14th-ranked Indian.
The American admitted the house crowd affected him in the course of the deciding recreation.
“It acquired to me at one level within the third set, at first, the place I used to be main 8-2 after which the group began to actually cheer, and it sort of acquired to me so…” he stated.
Requested whether or not concentrating on Sen’s backcourt had been a part of his technique, Tan stated, “Sure and no. That is simply my model, and it sort of labored towards him.”
Tan additionally revealed that he had hit his head in the course of the contest and would endure a medical examine.
“I hit my head somewhat bit, and I will get it checked by the physician afterward,” he stated.
Requested whether or not the win was the most important of his profession, Tan replied, “Sure, after all.”
Sen had entered the second spherical after preventing again to beat Austria’s Collins Valentine Filimon 16-21, 21-8, 21-4 in his opening match. His defeat leaves India with out one in all its largest dwelling hopes within the males’s singles draw.
