India’s Lakshya Sen produced one of his finest performances of the season at the HYLO Open 2025, stunning fifth seed and World No.7 Christo Popov of France in straight games 21-16, 22-20 to advance to the Round of 16 in Saarbrücken.
After an inconsistent few months on the BWF World Tour, Sen’s victory against a top-10 opponent marks a crucial breakthrough in what has been a mixed year for the Indian shuttler. What made the result even more impressive was the context: Popov had just reached the final of the French Open Super 750 last week and came into this match brimming with confidence, while Sen was reeling from a first-round exit in the same tournament.
Sen began the match with controlled aggression and near-perfect shot selection. The opening game saw him fall behind 13-15, but from there he switched gears with remarkable composure. Using sharp flat exchanges and crisp forehand drives, Sen forced Popov into defensive positions. The Indian won eight of the next nine points, clinching the first game 21-16 with a beautifully disguised crosscourt smash that caught Popov off guard. The second game showcased the grit and mental resolve that have long defined Sen’s rise in world badminton. Popov, known for his attacking tempo and court coverage, surged ahead 20-17 and looked set to force a decider.
But Sen had other ideas. Showing ice-cold composure under pressure, he saved three game points, forcing the Frenchman into consecutive errors before sealing the win 22-20 with a clinical down-the-line smash.
It was the kind of turnaround that reminded fans of Sen’s trademark resilience the same competitive steel that took him to the All England final in 2022 and a Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Redemption After a Difficult Stretch
This victory could hardly have come at a better time for Sen. The 24-year-old has struggled for rhythm this season, enduring multiple early exits in Super 500 and 750 events, which saw his ranking slip outside the world’s top 15. The loss at the French Open last week particularly stung, as Sen looked off-color against lower-ranked opposition.
The turnaround in Saarbrücken reflected a reset in both mindset and tactical clarity. Sen appeared sharper on his feet, more patient in rally construction, and selective in his offensive bursts all of which translated into better control in the mid-rally exchanges. His improved net play was another standout aspect of the match. Against an opponent like Popov, who thrives on pace and half-court aggression, Sen’s ability to neutralize early pressure and dictate from the front proved decisive.
With the victory, Sen now moves into the Round of 16, where he will face Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian (India). Given the HYLO Open’s position as one of the final Super 500 events of the year, this run could significantly impact his World Tour Finals qualification chances. The 9,200 ranking points available to the eventual champion, and even 6,420 for a semifinal finish, make this a vital window for Sen to regain momentum heading into 2026. His win over a top-10 player is also crucial psychologically a reaffirmation that his best badminton remains capable of challenging the elite.
For Indian badminton, Sen’s resurgence is timely. With HS Prannoy injured and Kidambi Srikanth struggling for consistency, the national team’s singles prospects for upcoming events such as the Asian Team Championships and Thomas Cup qualifiers depend heavily on Sen rediscovering form. His performance in Saarbrücken could well signal the beginning of that revival.
Popov’s Reaction and Tactical Contrast
For Christo Popov, the loss will sting deeply. The Frenchman had entered the tournament as one of the favourites, carrying momentum from a strong European swing. But he found himself undone by Sen’s variety and ability to break rhythm. While Popov relied heavily on his steep smashes and flat exchanges, Sen cleverly used slower shuttles, deeper lifts, and controlled pushes to force longer rallies disrupting Popov’s preferred tempo. The match’s defining stretch came between 17-20 and 22-20 in the second game, where Sen’s patience and shot discipline outlasted the Frenchman’s aggression.
Popov’s visible frustration in those closing exchanges reflected the growing pressure Sen’s consistency imposed a mental edge that often separates elite match-winners from talented contenders.
Sen’s win not only lifts his confidence but also sends a message to his contemporaries: the 2022 version of Lakshya composed, tactical, and relentless is still very much alive. The HYLO Open provides the ideal platform for him to string together consecutive deep runs and rebuild his world ranking before the year-end Finals.
A second-round matchup against either Leong or Sankar will present contrasting challenges the former’s power game versus the latter’s defensive tenacity. But if Sen can maintain his balance of patience and precision from the Popov match, he will enter as the clear favourite to progress further. More importantly, this win re-establishes Sen’s reputation as a clutch performer someone who thrives under pressure, capable of saving game points and producing calm finishes in tense moments.
Final Score: Lakshya Sen (IND) def. [5] Christo Popov (FRA)
21–16, 22–20 (R32, HYLO Open 2025, Saarbrücken)
With this victory, Lakshya Sen’s season finds a turning point not just in terms of results but in rediscovered belief. On the back of tactical discipline, renewed composure, and trademark grit, the Indian shuttler has reignited his campaign and perhaps his trajectory toward rejoining badminton’s elite.
