It was the kind of night every athlete dreams of the kind where form, focus, and fire align perfectly. India’s Lakshya Sen produced a career-defining performance at the Denmark Open Super 750, dismantling home favorite and defending champion Anders Antonsen in straight games, 21-13, 21-14, to storm into the quarterfinals.
The Odense crowd came in expecting another masterclass from their World No.2 hero. What they got instead was a masterclass in precision, patience, and poise from the 24-year-old Indian. In just 45 minutes, Lakshya turned the script on its head, neutralizing Antonsen’s rhythm, silencing the home support, and sending a strong reminder that he remains one of the most dangerous players on the BWF circuit when he finds his flow.
The contest began with both players probing for openings Antonsen relying on his smooth deception and front-court artistry, while Lakshya answered with disciplined defense and sudden bursts of aggression.
At 6-6, Lakshya found his groove, injecting pace into rallies and forcing Antonsen to work harder for every point. The Indian’s defensive coverage was immaculate stretching, diving, retrieving, and turning defense into attack with remarkable composure. A stunning crosscourt smash at 10-6 capped a run of five consecutive points, setting the tone for what was to come. By the mid-game interval, Lakshya led 11-6, dictating the tempo with his tight net play and sharp flat exchanges. Antonsen, visibly frustrated, tried to break the rhythm with deceptive flicks and changes in pace, but Lakshya’s anticipation was spot-on.
From 14-11, the Indian reeled off seven of the next nine points, closing the opening game 21-13 with a powerful forehand kill. It wasn’t just dominance it was clarity of purpose. Every point looked deliberate, every movement calculated.
Control, Composure, and a Touch of Brilliance
The second game saw Antonsen raise his level, eager to avoid a repeat of the opener. The rallies got longer many stretching over 30 shots as both players dug deep into their reserves. Yet, every time Antonsen looked to close the gap, Lakshya found a way to regain control. One of the turning points came at 8-7, when Lakshya absorbed a barrage of smashes in a marathon rally before finishing it with a forehand slice winner that brought the crowd to reluctant applause. That point summed up the match Antonsen attacking, Lakshya absorbing and countering with precision.
At the interval, Lakshya led 11-6 again, his consistency forcing the Dane to take increasingly risky shots. Antonsen tried to push the pace after the break, closing the gap to 14-11, but a sequence of errors under pressure two wide smashes and a misjudged lift allowed Lakshya to pull away. The Indian converted his second match point at 21-14, sealing what will go down as one of his most commanding wins in recent memory. This victory carried added weight. Antonsen had not only been the defending champion but also entered the match with a 5–2 head-to-head lead over Lakshya. Their most recent encounter, at the 2024 China Masters, had gone the Dane’s way.
But on Thursday night, there was no room for doubt Lakshya dominated both physically and mentally. Even in the high-pressure environment of Odense, with the crowd firmly behind their star, the Indian looked unshakable. His footwork was electric, his shot selection near flawless, and his transitions from defense to offense smooth as silk.
It was vintage Lakshya the same player who reached the All England final in 2022 and who, at his best, can take down anyone in the world.
The win marks Lakshya’s first Super 750 quarterfinal in nearly a year, dating back to the China Masters 2024. It’s also a significant statement ahead of the final stretch of the 2025 BWF season, as he seeks to regain consistency and push for a top-10 return in the world rankings. For an athlete who has had to weather form fluctuations and injury setbacks over the past year, this win is both validation and motivation. “Lakshya looks sharper, lighter on his feet, and far more patient,” noted one commentator. “He’s playing the long rallies again that’s when you know he’s confident.”
Lakshya’s next challenge will be against either Weng Hong Yang (China) or Alex Lanier (France) in the quarterfinals both tricky opponents in contrasting ways. Weng, known for his relentless retrievals, will test Lakshya’s endurance and shot tolerance, while Lanier, one of Europe’s rising stars, could bring unpredictability and pace. But if Thursday’s form is any indication, Lakshya will enter that clash as the man in control. His blend of tactical discipline, attacking instinct, and improved defense make him a genuine threat to any opponent left in the draw.
A Win That Resonates Beyond the Scoreline
For Indian badminton, this victory is more than just a result it’s a reminder of the country’s depth and growing maturity at the highest level. With Satwik-Chirag continuing their dominance in doubles and Lakshya finding his spark again, Indian shuttlers are proving that consistency on the BWF World Tour is no longer a dream, but an expectation.
In Odense, under the bright lights of the Jyske Bank Arena, Lakshya Sen didn’t just beat a champion he announced his return as one.
Match Summary: Lakshya Sen (IND) def. Anders Antonsen (DEN) [2] 21-13, 21-14
Round of 16 | Denmark Open Super 750
Next Match: QF vs Weng Hong Yang (CHN) / Alex Lanier (FRA)
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