Defending champions India faced an unexpected hurdle in their 2026 Thomas Cup opener as Lakshya Sen fell to Canada’s Victor Lai in a grueling three-game marathon. The defeat marks a stunning start to the tournament in Horsens, Denmark, leaving India trailing 0-1 in the best-of-five tie.
Match Debrief: Sen vs. Lai
The opening singles match at the Forum Horsens was a tactical roller-coaster that pushed both athletes to their physical limits. Lakshya Sen, the heavy favorite, initially appeared in control, clinching the first game 21-18 by dictating the pace and capitalizing on aggressive net kills.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second game. Victor Lai, who has been in sensational form following his bronze medal run at the recent World Championships, showcased relentless defensive coverage. Lai managed to neutralize Sen’s smashes, edging a tense second game 21-19.
In the decider, the physical toll of the 71-minute encounter became evident. While Sen struggled with rhythm and appeared visibly fatigued, Lai capitalized on the shift in energy. The Canadian youngster dominated the third set, racing to a 21-10 victory to seal the match and secure a historic point for Canada.
Match Scoreline
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Game 1: Lakshya Sen 21-18 Victor Lai
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Game 2: Lakshya Sen 19-21 Victor Lai
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Game 3: Lakshya Sen 10-21 Victor Lai
Insights & Outlook
This upset puts immense pressure on India’s doubles specialists, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, to restore parity. While Sen’s loss is a setback, India’s depth in both singles (with Ayush shetty and Kidambi Srikanth still to play) and doubles makes them the favorites to overturn the deficit. For Canada, this victory serves as a massive statement of intent on the world stage.