Lakshya Sen Battles Past Kiran George to Reach HYLO Open 2026 Quarterfinals

Lakshya Sen booked his place in the quarterfinals of the HYLO Open 2026 after overcoming compatriot Kiran George in a hard-fought three-game encounter in the Round of 16. 

The Indian won 15-21, 21-18, 21-12, recovering from a second-game setback to secure his progression at the Super 500 tournament in Germany. While Lakshya advanced to the last eight, it was a disappointing day for the rest of the Indian contingent in the singles events. Kiran George, Tharun Mannepalli, Malvika Bansod and Isharani Baruah all bowed out in the Round of 16, leaving Lakshya as India's remaining singles representative among the players mentioned.

The victory also sets up a quarterfinal meeting against France's Toma Junior Popov, giving Lakshya an opportunity to build on his campaign and move closer to a potential semifinal appearance.

The all-Indian contest promised a competitive battle, and Kiran made sure Lakshya had to work for his place in the quarterfinals. Lakshya had entered the match with momentum after a demanding opening-round victory over world No. 59 Joakim Oldorff. The Indian had lost the opening game 16-21 but responded emphatically, winning the next two games 21-9, 21-13 to advance.

Against Kiran, however, Lakshya was unable to take control from the beginning. Kiran secured the opening game 21-15, putting the higher-profile Indian under pressure and forcing him to find a response. Lakshya raised his level in the second game and appeared to be moving towards an equaliser. He established a 15-10 advantage, placing himself in a strong position to take the match into a decider.

But Kiran produced the most impressive passage of his performance. Refusing to let the game slip away, he went on an extraordinary run of eight consecutive points to turn a five-point deficit into a lead. The comeback changed the momentum of the contest and gave Kiran the second game 21-18.

At 1-1, the match was heading into a deciding game, with Kiran having demonstrated that he could challenge Lakshya even when trailing significantly.

Lakshya Takes Charge in the Decider

The third game proved decisive, and Lakshya responded strongly to the setback. Having allowed Kiran to take control of the second game, Lakshya made a much stronger start in the decider. His early advantage was crucial in preventing another comeback and shifting the pressure back onto his opponent.

Kiran had shown considerable resilience throughout the match, particularly with his eight-point scoring sequence in the second game. However, Lakshya maintained his composure in the deciding game and gradually established control.

The Indian eventually closed out the game 21-12 to complete a 15-21, 21-18, 21-12 victory. It was a significant recovery after losing the opening game and letting a comfortable second-game lead disappear.

While Lakshya would have preferred to finish the match in straight games, his ability to reset after the second-game collapse was an important aspect of the win. He will need that resilience as the tournament moves into its decisive stages. For Kiran, the defeat brought an end to his campaign, but his performance demonstrated the challenge he posed to his compatriot. His fightback from 10-15 to win the second game was a standout moment in the encounter.

Lakshya's progression was the major positive for India, but the country's remaining singles players could not join him in the quarterfinals. Kiran George's defeat to Lakshya meant one Indian was guaranteed to exit the men's singles draw in the all-Indian encounter. Tharun Mannepalli also lost his Round of 16 match, ending his run at the tournament.

The women's singles campaign suffered a similar setback, with Malvika Bansod and Isharani Baruah both exiting in the Round of 16.

With four Indian players eliminated at this stage, Lakshya's victory becomes even more important for the country's remaining singles interest at the HYLO Open.

Toma Junior Popov Awaits in the Semifinal

Lakshya may face Toma Junior Popov in the Semifinal. The Frenchman presents another demanding test as the Indian looks to continue his progress at the Super 500 event. The draw also offers Lakshya a potential route towards the finals, where a meeting with either Jonatan Christie or Kodai Naraoka could await, depending on the results in the corresponding section.

However, the immediate focus will be on the quarterfinal against Koljonen. Lakshya has already had to negotiate two three-game matches in succession, first against Oldorff and now against Kiran. His ability to recover after losing the opening game in both encounters has been a defining feature of his campaign so far.

The win over Kiran was not straightforward, particularly after the second-game collapse, but Lakshya's response in the decider ensured that his HYLO Open campaign remained alive. With the quarterfinals approaching, the Indian will look to carry that momentum forward and take another step towards the title.