Lakshya Sen opened his 2026 season with a composed and hard-earned victory at the Malaysia Open, progressing to the Round of 16 at the Super 1000 tournament after defeating Singapore’s Jia Heng Jason Teh in three games.
The Indian shuttler prevailed 21-16, 15-21, 21-14 in a match that lasted close to 70 minutes, underlining both his physical readiness and competitive sharpness at the start of a demanding Olympic cycle.
For Lakshya, this was not just about getting past the opening round. The Malaysia Open, one of the most prestigious events on the BWF World Tour, traditionally sets the tone for the year. Facing the world No. 21 in his first match ensured there was no easing into the tournament, and Sen responded with a performance built on patience, controlled aggression, and tactical clarity.
The opening game saw Lakshya establish early authority. He moved well at the backcourt, used his length effectively in rallies, and forced Teh into lifting under pressure.
The Indian mixed his pace intelligently, varying his attacking shots with tight net play to take the first game 21-16. Importantly, Lakshya looked comfortable dictating rallies without rushing, a sign of growing maturity in his game.
The second game, however, followed a familiar pattern seen often in high-level men’s singles. Teh raised his intensity, stepped up his attacking play, and began targeting Lakshya’s forecourt with sharper angles. A slight dip in consistency allowed the Singaporean to take control, and despite Lakshya staying in touch for large parts of the game, Teh closed it out 21-15 to force a decider.
What stood out in the third game was Lakshya’s response. Rather than engaging in outright power exchanges, he focused on extending rallies, trusting his fitness and defensive solidity.
His retrieval skills came to the fore, frustrating Teh into errors, while his ability to transition quickly from defence to attack proved decisive. Once Lakshya moved ahead at the mid-game interval, he rarely looked back, closing the match 21-14 with authority.
This victory takes Lakshya into the pre-quarterfinals, where he is set to face either France’s Christo Popov or Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu — both opponents who bring contrasting challenges. Popov offers relentless pace and aggression, while Lee is known for his rally tolerance and tactical discipline.
For Lakshya, this next round will be a valuable indicator of where his game stands against consistent top-tier competition.
From an Indian badminton perspective, Lakshya’s progression provides a positive early signal. Having already established himself as one of India’s leading men’s singles players over the last few seasons, consistency at Super 1000 events remains a key benchmark. Wins like these, especially against top-25 opponents, are critical for ranking stability, confidence, and rhythm as the tour intensifies.
On the women’s side, it was a tough opening for Malvika Bansod. The Indian shuttler faced a stern test against former World Champion Ratchanok Intanon and was unable to find her footing, going down in straight games 11-21, 11-21. While the scoreline reflected the gap in experience and control, such matches remain valuable exposure at the highest level.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Lakshya Sen. Starting the year with a win at a Super 1000 event is never straightforward, and the manner in which he navigated a three-game battle suggests both mental and physical readiness.
As the Malaysia Open progresses, Lakshya will look to build on this foundation and push deeper into the draw a challenge he has shown, time and again, he is capable of embracing.
