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Lakshya Sen ended his wait for a title in 2026 with a convincing straight-games victory over Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in the men’s singles final of the Hylo Open. The Indian shuttler won 21-17, 21-10 in 39 minutes at the Saarlandhalle in Saarbrücken, Germany, on Sunday, controlling the contest to secure his first BWF title of the season.
The seventh-seeded Sen, currently ranked World No. 14, overcame the sixth-ranked Christie to lift the Hylo Open trophy for the second time in his career. His previous triumph came in 2019, when the tournament was part of the BWF Super 100 circuit. The win offers a timely boost after a challenging year on the court for the 25-year-old.
Lakshya Sen Clinches Second Hylo Open Title with Straight-Games Win
Lakshya Sen ended his wait for a BWF World Tour title by defeating Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie 21-17, 21-10 in the men’s singles final of the Hylo Open 2026 in Saarbrücken, Germany, on Sunday. The Indian produced a composed performance to win in straight games and claim his first title of the season. The triumph was particularly important after a difficult year marked by fitness concerns and inconsistent results.
The opening game featured some intense exchanges, with both players relying on attacking strokes and quick movement around the court. Lakshya initially took control with his sharp smashes and cross-court shots, but Christie fought back with a run of points to put the Indian under pressure. Sen responded well, using his defensive skills and precise placement to regain the advantage before closing out the game 21-17.
Lakshya raised his level considerably in the second game, taking charge of the rallies and forcing Christie into errors. His court coverage, tight net play and well-timed attacking shots left the Indonesian struggling to find a response. Sen maintained his intensity after the interval and continued to extend his lead, eventually wrapping up the game 21-10 to seal the championship. The result also levelled their career head-to-head record at 4-4.
Lakshya’s Road to the Title and Career Milestones at Hylo Open 2026
The Indian had to work hard to reach the final, coming through three consecutive three-game matches earlier in the tournament. He recovered from losing the opening game against Finland’s Joakim Oldorff in the Round of 32, before overcoming compatriot Kiran George and Finland’s Kalle Koljonen in similarly demanding encounters. Sen then produced a more controlled display in the semifinals, beating France’s Toma Junior Popov 21-17, 21-13 in 41 minutes.
The Hylo Open crown marked Lakshya’s fifth BWF World Tour title and his second triumph at the tournament, having first won it in 2019 when it was a Super 100 event. His previous World Tour title came at the Australian Open in November 2025, while he had also reached the All England Open final earlier this year. With Lakshya and PV Sindhu both winning their respective singles titles on Sunday, India enjoyed a memorable finish to the tournament in Saarbrücken.