With his bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships, Lakshya Sen went from a 20 year old trying to get a grip on the senior circuit to a player opponents had to keep an eye on. 2022 however, has been about Lakshya's rise - no longer in the rearview mirror, he's gatecrashing the very elite of world badminton. By beating some of the most accomplished names week after week on the circuit, Lakshya's proving he can do more than simply hang in there at the highest level - he can dominate.
Here are some of his best victories this year:
World Champion Loh Kean Yew
Where: India Open final
When: January 16
Score: 24-22 21-17
Lakshya had a reputation as someone who could pull off the odd upset but wasn't very consistent. He would end that reputation in the final of the India Open. He was a bit of an underdog, competing against reigning world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore but that wouldn't show on the court in New Delhi. He set the pace of the match, constantly befuddled Yew and picked up his first World Tour 500 title.
Olympic Bronze medalist Anthony Ginting
Where: German Open Ro16
When: March 10
Score: 21-7 21-9
After winning his first World Tour title, Lakshya competed for only the second time this season at the German Open. Anthony Ginting hasn't been in the greatest form since winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics but he's a tricky challenge with his quick feet and tireless retrieving. He wasn't even in with a chance against Lakshya at the German Open. The Indian showed a ruthlessness that few had seen in his game until this point. Ginting didn't even make it to double figures in either game, losing in just a touch over half an hour.
Olympic Champion Viktor Axelsen
Where: German Open SF
When: March 12
Score: 13-21 21-12 22-20
In both his previous high profile victories, Lakshya had never been under much pressure. There was always a question mark on how he would respond when that happened against a quality opponent. Turns out, he would thrive. After losing the first game, Lakshya was trailing 8-3 in the second game and after he turned that around, 19-14 in the decider against the Olympic champion. His defense remained solid and his nerves ice cool, even in these most unfavourable of odds, as he came out on top after an hour and 10 minutes.
World Bronze medalist Anders Antonsen
Where: All England Ro16
When: March 17
Score: 21-16 21-18
Lakshya Sens' early form this season had a caveat - they were in the early tournaments of the year. How would he do at the big ticket world events where everyone comes in at the top of their game? World bronze medalist and World number 3 Anders Antonsen had looked very sharp in a first round win over the reigning world champion that marked him out as a title favourite at Birmingham. Against Lakshya though, there was never a moment where it seemed the Indian was at a disadvantage. There was only a single instance in the match where Antonsen led by more than a single point (he led 13-11 in game two). Indeed the match was only remarkable for the ease with which Lakshya beat a much touted player.
2021 All England Champion Lee Zii Jia
Where: 2022 All England SF
When: March 19
Score: 21-13 12-21 21-19
Lakshya's defensive strength has been apparent in his matches this year. Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia seemed flustered at first but then adapted, forcing the 20-year-old to make the big plays in the second game and for half of the third. Lakshya was facing a likely defeat - trailing 16-12 in the decider when he decided to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Even as Jia tried to wait for the Indian to make the mistake, Lakshya went up a gear. He wasn't just holding his nerve like he did in his win against Axelsen, he was forcing his opponent to lose theirs.