Lakshya Sen beats Jonatan Christie for first BWF title of 2026

Lakshya Sen won his first BWF title of 2026 on Sunday, beating Jonatan Christie 21-17, 21-10 in the Hylo Open men’s singles final at the Saarlandhalle in Saarbrücken, Germany. The Indian shuttler held off Christie in the opening game before taking firm control of the second.

The result gave Sen a title after he had reached the All England Open final in March, where he lost to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi. Against Christie, he combined sharp cross-court angles with steady court coverage to keep the Indonesian under pressure.

Sen takes control of the final

Christie entered the match with a 4-3 record against Sen, although Sen had won their most recent meeting at the All England Open in 2025. Their final in Saarbrücken began as a closer contest than the eventual scoreline suggested, with Christie resisting Sen’s efforts to pull clear in the first game.

Sen’s cross-court play kept Christie on the defensive and helped him reach the mid-game break with an 11-7 lead. Christie continued to challenge him, but Sen protected his advantage to take the opening game 21-17 and move within one game of the title.

Christie took an early lead in the second game as the pair exchanged fast, flat shots across the court. Sen then settled into the rallies.

Christie tried to dictate play from the back court, but Sen read a high clear and responded with a drop shot that clipped the tape. Sen went on to win the second game 21-10, completing the straight-games victory.

First title after March final defeat

Sunday’s win was Sen’s first BWF title of the year and followed his defeat to Lin Chun-Yi in the All England Open final in March. Sen had beaten Christie in their previous meeting at the All England Open in 2025.

Sen took the first game 21-17 after Christie resisted, then won the second 21-10.

After losing the All England Open final in March, Sen won the Hylo Open final on Sunday.