Lakshya Sen produced a performance that was as much about resilience as it was about skill as he fought his way into the Round of 16 of the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2026.
Up against Chinese Taipei’s Wang Tzu Wei in the opening round, the Indian shuttler was forced to dig deep before finally prevailing 21–13, 16–21, 21–14 in a gripping three-game encounter that underlined both his quality and his mental toughness.
Coming into the tournament ranked world number 12, Lakshya was the favourite on paper against Wang, who is ranked 23rd. Yet, as has often been the case in their meetings, the contest was far from straightforward. Wang’s speed, counter-attacking ability and willingness to extend rallies made him a tricky opponent, especially on the slower Jakarta court that demands patience and tactical clarity. Lakshya, however, began the match with purpose, taking control from the opening exchanges and imposing his rhythm early.
The first game was a statement of intent from the Indian. Lakshya moved crisply, controlled the net and dictated play with his forehand, forcing Wang into defensive positions. His sharp returns and precise placement repeatedly pushed the Chinese Taipei player wide, opening up the court for clean winners. Lakshya quickly built a healthy lead and never allowed Wang to settle, eventually closing out the opening game 21–13. It was a confident start that suggested the match might be wrapped up in straight games.
The second game initially followed a similar pattern. Lakshya raced ahead to a commanding 13–5 lead, playing some of his best badminton of the match. His shot selection was intelligent, mixing deep clears with sudden drops, and Wang struggled to cope with the changes of pace. At that point, the match appeared to be firmly in Lakshya’s control.
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However, badminton can turn in a matter of minutes, and the momentum suddenly shifted. Wang began to find his range, tightening up his defence and pushing Lakshya into longer rallies. A few unforced errors from the Indian gave Wang a foothold, and the Chinese Taipei shuttler took full advantage. Slowly but surely, Wang reeled Lakshya back in, stringing together a run of points that brought the score level and then swung the game in his favour. Lakshya tried to arrest the slide, but Wang’s confidence had grown, and he closed out the second game 21–16 to force a decider.
The sudden turnaround was a test of Lakshya’s mental strength. Having been in such a dominant position in the second game, he could easily have been rattled by letting it slip. Instead, the 23-year-old responded with maturity. The third game saw him refocus, cut down on errors and reassert his attacking intent. From the opening rally, Lakshya looked determined not to allow the same lapse in concentration.
He took an early lead in the decider, using his superior court coverage and crisp smashes to keep Wang on the back foot. Where the second game had been marred by a loss of control, the third was marked by discipline. Lakshya chose his moments to attack carefully, ensuring that he did not gift away easy points. Wang continued to fight, but Lakshya always seemed to have an answer, maintaining a cushion on the scoreboard.
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As the game progressed, Lakshya’s confidence grew, and he began to play with greater freedom. His ability to transition quickly from defence to attack proved crucial, catching Wang off balance on several occasions. With the finish line in sight, Lakshya stayed composed and closed out the match 21–14, sealing a well-earned place in the Round of 16.
While the scoreline shows a solid victory, the match was a reminder of how fine the margins can be at this level. Lakshya will be pleased with his ability to regroup after losing the second game, especially after being so far ahead. The way he handled the pressure in the decider will give him confidence as the tournament progresses.
This win also continues Lakshya’s steady return to form on the World Tour. After a period of inconsistency over the past year, performances like this, where he not only plays well but also navigates tricky situations, are exactly what he needs. The Indonesia Masters is a Super 500 event, and victories here carry significant ranking points as well as the psychological boost of beating quality opposition.
For Indian badminton fans, Lakshya’s progress into the last 16 is an encouraging sign. He remains one of the country’s leading hopes in men’s singles, and matches like this show that he still has the hunger and the game to compete with the best.
As the draw opens up in Jakarta, Lakshya will be looking to build on this hard-fought win and push deeper into the tournament, knowing that every round brings him closer to the kind of performances that once made him a world championship medallist.
