Lakshya Sen’s superior physicality and court movement made Shi Yuqi look terribly rusty and sluggish, as the Indian started the All England sensationally with a 23-21, 19-21, 21-17 win over the Chinese defending champion, also the reigning World champion. Sen, moving with speed and very light on his feet, used the flat, whippy smash from the back court to lethal effect as the tip seed was evicted at a tournament where Sen has made finals in 2022 and semis in 2024. Every alternate year, Sen seems to crank it up at Birmingham where he was crowned Commonwealth Games champion.
