All England Open 2022 Semifinals Highlights, Lakshya Sen vs Lee Zii Jia: 20-year-old Indian books final berth

Japan's Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino have defeated Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-14, 21-15 in SFs the mixed doubles event. We head to the first game of the men's singles SF: Lakshya Sen vs Lee Zii Jia!

Gayatri Gopichand, on her maiden semi-final appearance at the prestigious event, said: "Definitely, there will be expectations but we don't feel that pressure, we just have to give our best. We want to win it for our country."

Later tonight, Treesa and Gayatri will continue India's quest for crown at the competition as they take on China's Zhang Shu Xian and Zheng Yu in the semifinals.

In the previous meeting between Lakshya and Zii Jia, which was at the India International Series back in 2016, the Indian had emerged victorious. Zii Jia dominated Momota for the major part in the quarter-finals and Lakshya will have to put up a resilient show against the Malaysian's attacking approach.

India have kept their pursuit going for the All England open crown and Lakshya has already stunned World Championships Anders Antonsen. Is another upset on the cards?

We are just minutes away from the start! Lakshya had defeated world no 1 and Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark en route to his maiden Super 300 final. He also beat another famous shuttler from Denmark, Anders Antonsen, to enter the quarters of the ongoing event.

The 20-year-old Lakshya from Almora was the brightest spot for Indian badminton last year. He became the youngest Indian male shuttler to win a World Championships medal. He's been in phenomenal form this year as well.

He won his maiden Super 500 title at India Open in January and then clinched a runner-up finish at the German Open last week.

Lee was effusive in his praise for Lakshya and described the Indian as someone who can be among the top players in future. “Lakshya Sen has performed quite well recently and for me, I want to keep it the same way and enjoy the game,” said Lee.

“He’s getting there and in future he will be one of the top players, of course.”

"I tried to speed up the game in the rubber and focus on my attacking shots. The strategy worked well and this win will give me lots of confidence," Lee said on his win against Momota.

Lakshya made it to the semis after his opponent Lu Guang Zu of China gave a walkover due to an injury suffered in the last match. Lee Zii Jia, on the other hand, beat Japan's Kento Momota 21-7, 13-21, 21-11 in a closely-fought contest.

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also joined Lakshya in the elite list after the pair became the first Indian pair to reach the last-four of All England championships. They will take on Zhang Shu Xian/Zheng Yu in women's doubles game later.

Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand are the only Indians to have reached the semis before at the event. Lakshya sets sights on the title, having already scripted history in Birmingham.

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the All England Open Championships semi-final between Lakshya Sen and Lee Zii Jia. The 20-year-old Lakshya will look to continue his superb form and inch closer towards the title. But he is expected to face a tough challenge from Lee, who is the reigning All-England champ.