All England Open 2022 Final Highlights, Lakshya Sen vs Viktor Axelsen: Indian finishes runner-up after losing in final

Yuta Watanabe/Chiharu Shida have taken the first game 21-19 against Wang Yi Lyu/Huany Dong Ping! One more Japanese pair on the podium?

While Indian fans would be happy to see Lakshya in the finals, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand faced an unfortunate end to their campaign. The pair's splendid run at the tournament was halted by China's Shu Xian Zhang and Yu Zheng, who registered a straight-game win on Saturday.

The mixed doubles final between the fourth seed Yuta Watanabe/Chiharu Shida and third seeds Wang Yi Lyu/Huany Dong Ping is currently underway. Lakshya-Axelsen game is up next.

Lakshya is a product of a Bengaluru-based academy run by Prakash Padukone, who was the first Indian to win the prestigious event. Can the youngster end India's 21-year-wait for a title at All England C'ships?

He is the youngest Indian man to reach the last stage of the historic All-England Badminton championship and Lakshya will look to emulate Prakash Padukone's feat. The veteran had won the title back in 1980 before Gopichand claimed it in 2001. Lakshya will be the third Indian to achieve the milestone if he wins today.

Indian players in All England Final:

1947: Prakash Nath (runner-up)

1980: Prakash Pradukone (champion)

1981: Prakash Pradukone (runner-up)

2001: Pullela Gopichand (champion)

2015: Saina Nehwal (runner-up)

Lakshya stayed composed and his tactical play fetched him points against Lee. He would look to stick to a similar plan today as he faces a highly-fancied rival. Both Lakshya and Axelsen had fought tooth and nail in the German Open.

Axelsen was 15-8 ahead in the last game before Lakshya stormed to close the gap to 15-17 and eventually levelled the score 20-20. He grabbed two consecutive points to seal the match!

We will be seeing an Indian in the All England final for the first time since 2015. Saina Nehwal was the last Indian player to make an appearance in the final of the prestigious event.

Lakshya's win over Axelsen was also the first instance of the Indian defeating the Danish star after suffering four straight defeats.

In the previous meeting against Axelsen, Lakshya stunned the Danish World No. 1 in the German Open semi-final that lasted for an hour and 10 minutes. The Indian defeated Axelsen 21-13, 12-21, 22-20.

In the women's doubles semi-finals, Japanese duo Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida beat China's Zhang Shu Xian and Zheng Yu 21-13, 21-9 to clinch the title.

In the men's doubles, Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana beat Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan 21-19, 21-13 in an all-Indonesian final.

Japan's Akane Yamaguchi earlier was crowned as the 2022 All England women's singles champion after she defeated South Korea's An Seyoung in 43 minutes.

Viktor Axelsen, on the other hand, didn't encounter many problems as he powered to a 21-13, 21-15 win over Taiwan's Chou Tien-chen.

"In the final few points, the strategy was completely different because he is one of the best attacking players in the world and when there is lot of pressure you have to go all out and keep the attack. I knew in my head I can't play lose," said Lakshya on his win against Lee.

Lakshya is now only a step away from emulating his mentor Prakash Padukone. He became only the fourth men's singles player after Prakash Nath, Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand to reach the final of the tournament.

Padukone (1980) and Gopichand (2001) are the only two Indians to have won the prestigious tournament.

Lee capitalized on Lakshya's errors to take a 14-10 lead. But the 20-year-old from Almora narrowed it down to 16-17. A cross-court smash led to Lakshya grabbing two match points. Lee saved one before the Indian sealed it.

Lakshya showed some great defensive skills in the opening game before Lee picked up pace to make it 1-1. The Indian put up a remarkable fight in the final set to catch up with his opponent and eventually booked the finals berth.

We witnessed a phenomenal semi-final yesterday that saw Lakshya battling to a thrilling 21-13, 12-21, 21-19 victory against defending champion Lee Zii Jia.

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the men's singles All England Open final between Lakshya Sen and Viktor Axelsen. Having defeated defending champ Lee Zii Jia, Lakshya is just one step away from the crown but he faces a stiff challenge from Axelsen, who is the top seed and reigning Olympic champion. We expect a cracking game!!!