Lakshya Sen has come a good distance from the time he gained the Youth Olympics silver medal in 2018. The 20-year-old from Almora has made a outstanding transition from the junior to senior degree, retaining the identical fearless method that made the world sit up and take discover of him.

On Sunday, Lakshya Sen has a possibility to do what solely two different Indian shuttlers have executed within the historical past of the world's oldest badminton event -- win the All England title. The younger Indian shutter, a product of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, is bidding to grow to be the third man afr Padukone (1980) and Pullela Gopichand (2001) to win the distinguished crown.

Lakshya will tackle reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen within the males's singles closing of All England Open 2022 The Indian shutter outclassed defending champion Lee Zii Jia in a closely-fought battle, coming again fro behind within the decider.

LAKSHYA FACES OLYMPIC CHAMP AXELSEN

It won't be straightforward for the Indian shutter towards the Danish star, who has had the knack of stepping up on the largest phases of world badminton.

The 28-year-old shutter, who has a towering presence on the court docket, gained the All England Championships in 2020 earlier than successful the highest prize finally yr's Olympics. The Dane will definitely be hungry to affix an elite listing of his countrymen who've achieved success in Birmingham greater than as soon as.

Nevertheless, Lakshya can take confidence from the way in which he defeated Axelsen final week on the German Open. Lakshya wanted an hour and 10 minutes to win a hard-fought semi-final contest 21-13, 12-21, 22-20. It was additionally the primary time Lakshya defeated Axelsen after 4 straight losses throughout which he did not handle to take a single recreation from the Dane.

The younger Indian shutter has again and again proven within the current previous that he's not afraid of reputations or the large phases. Lakshya gained the world championships bronze medal final yr and adopted it up along with his maiden Tremendous 500 title at India Open earlier this yr. He then went on to achieve the ultimate of the German Open earlier than his blistering run at All England.

There is no such thing as a doubt Lakshya will step on the court docket on Sunday, realizing there shall be a good bit of help for him from the stands, brimming with confidence. Having labored with Axelsen final yr in Dubai, Lakshya has a good understanding of the Danish star's recreation.

“There’s yet another match to go. Then I can say something I need. For now, I’m focussed on yet another match. All these instances, when folks mentioned (good issues about me), it gave me the assumption that I can do nicely, that perception saved me going," Lakshya informed the BWF forward of his closing.

LAKSHYA ON GIANT-KILLING SPREE

Lakshya's monitor document within the current previous has sparked expectations from again in India. The younger shutter has overwhelmed Olympic champion Axelsen (German Open)a, Olympic bronze medalist Anthony Ginting (All England), world champion Loh Kean Yew (India Open), world bronze medalist Anders Antonsen (All England) and final yr's winner Lee (All England).

Lakshya has the instruments to make it rely on Sunday however will probably be a check of his character as he bids to finish India's 21-year-long wait at one of many largest matches of his nascent profession.

India will rejoice if on the finish Sunday's recreation, Lakshya can do the racket flip - his trademark victory celebration.