Lakshya Sen Exits Denmark Open 2026 After Three-Game Battle
India’s Lakshya Sen was eliminated from the Denmark Open 2026 in the opening round, falling to Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen in a competitive men’s singles encounter on Tuesday. Sen pushed the former world No. 2 to three games but ultimately went down 18-21, 21-13, 15-21 in a match lasting 63 minutes.
The result brings an early end to Sen’s campaign at one of badminton’s most prominent events on the BWF World Tour. Chou took the opening game, but Sen responded with a strong second-game performance to level the contest. The deciding game proved closer to the finish, with Chou finding the edge in the crucial exchanges to secure his place in the next round.
Chou Tien Chen Holds Firm in the Decider
Sen’s second-game win showed his ability to adjust after falling behind. He raised his intensity and took control of the rallies, limiting Chou’s opportunities to dictate play. That response gave the Indian a route back into the match and set up a deciding game after an hour of high-level badminton.
Chou, however, recovered his composure in the third. The experienced Taiwanese shuttler managed the pressure well, maintained his attacking threat and converted the opportunities that mattered most. Sen stayed in contention, but Chou’s consistency across the final stretch proved decisive.
For Sen, the defeat is another difficult result in a year that has included several early exits. While the scoreline reflects a closely fought match rather than a one-sided loss, the opening-round departure will be a setback for the Indian, who has been seeking a sustained run at the top level.
A Challenging Season for Lakshya Sen
Sen’s Denmark Open result follows a series of disappointing setbacks. At the Asian Games 2026, he exited the men’s singles competition in the second round after losing to Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, a former world champion. Loh won 21-12, 15-21, 21-14 at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium.
Sen also suffered an unexpected second-round defeat at the BWF World Championships in August. He was beaten 21-19, 19-21, 17-21 by American shuttler Garret Tan, then ranked No. 92 in the world. That match, like his encounter with Chou, went the distance, but Sen was unable to close it out in the deciding game.
These results underline how narrow the margins can be in elite badminton. A player can demonstrate the level needed to compete by taking a game or pushing a match deep, yet still be left searching for the small improvements required to win the final points. For Sen, sharper execution under pressure and greater consistency across all three games will be important areas as he looks to rebuild momentum.
Kidambi Srikanth Advances to the Round of 16
There was better news for India in the men’s singles, as Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the round of 16 with a straight-games victory over France’s Arnaud Merkle. The former world No. 1 won 22-20, 21-19 in a tight contest, holding his nerve in both games to avoid a decider.
Srikanth’s win was built on his ability to stay composed during closely contested stretches. The opening game went beyond the usual 21-point mark, and the second remained tight until its closing stages. Winning both games by narrow margins gives the Indian a valuable boost as he moves deeper into the tournament.
The World No. 31 is set to face the winner of the match between seventh seed Alex Lanier and Hu Zhe An. Either opponent would present a demanding test, making recovery and preparation especially important before the next round. Srikanth’s progress offers India a continuing presence in the men’s singles draw following Sen’s exit.
Tanvi Sharma Sets Up a Potential All-Indian Match
India also recorded a women’s singles win, with Tanvi Sharma defeating Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira in a three-game round-of-32 match. Sharma took the opening game 21-17, lost the second 16-21, then edged the decider 21-19 to advance.
The result was a test of patience as well as skill. After losing the second game, Sharma had to reset quickly and stay composed in a close final game. Her ability to finish the match under pressure was a notable positive and keeps her campaign alive at the Denmark Open.
Sharma could meet compatriot P.V. Sindhu in the next round, provided Sindhu gets past Germany’s Yvonne Li. Sindhu, India’s World No. 11, would bring considerable experience to a potential matchup, while Sharma would have the opportunity to challenge one of the country’s leading badminton players on a major international stage.
India’s Denmark Open Campaign Continues
Sen’s first-round departure is a blow, but India’s tournament remains active through Srikanth, Sharma and the possibility of Sindhu joining the next stage. Their performances will be closely watched as the competition progresses and the field narrows.
The Denmark Open is an important test on the international badminton calendar, bringing together leading players and offering valuable opportunities to build form and ranking momentum. For Sen, the focus will now turn to learning from another close defeat and finding a way to convert competitive performances into victories. For Srikanth and Sharma, the immediate challenge is to carry their opening wins into the next round.
