New Delhi - In an all-Indian clash at the opening round of the India Open 2026, Lakshya Sen emerged victorious against Ayush Shetty in straight games. Sen, a prominent figure in Indian badminton, showcased his dominance with a comfortable 21-12, 21-15 win over Shetty. The match, held on January 13, 2026, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, saw Sen dictating the rallies with sharp net play and maintaining control throughout the contest.
Sen's commanding performance set a positive tone for the Indian contingent on the first day of the Super 750 event. From the start, Sen owned the forecourt, leveraging his expertise to keep Shetty under pressure. Shetty attempted to push Sen deep into the court, but errors at crucial moments hampered his efforts. Sen's calm and clinical approach allowed him to secure a decisive victory and advance to the next round.
The match lasted under 40 minutes, with Sen establishing himself as the superior player. Sen's ability to tighten his control in rallies and press forward proved crucial in maintaining his lead. Despite Shetty's efforts to regain momentum, Sen consistently denied him opportunities to settle, ultimately securing the win.
While Sen displayed a commanding performance, other Indian players also made their mark on the opening day. The women's doubles duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured a straight-game victory against Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn and Sukitta Suwachai of Thailand with a score of 21-15, 21-11. In men's doubles, Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun overcame Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi of Malaysia 21-15, 21-18. However, not all Indian pairs were successful, as Dhruv Ravat and Maneesha K suffered a defeat against Hiroki Midorikawa and Nami Matsuyama of Japan, and Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra lost a close match to Lui Lok Lok and Tsang Hui Yan of Hong Kong.
Lakshya Sen's victory over Ayush Shetty marks a promising start for him at the India Open 2026. His performance reflected his experience and skill, positioning him as a strong contender in the tournament. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Sen to see if he can maintain his momentum and make a deep run.
