New Delhi, March 7 -- Battling cramps in both his legs and with a right-foot blister, Lakshya Sen could barely move towards the end of a gladiatorial semi-final that lasted an unbelievable hour and 37 minutes. At the other end, Canadian Victor Lai fought on despite a cut in his playing hand and running out of breath.

It was nothing short of absolute cinema. But in the end, the ace Indian shuttler mustered every ounce of energy, courage and resilience left in his body to win the marathon battle against a younger opponent and reach the men's singles final of the All England Open Badminton Championships in Birmingham on Saturday.

By overcoming Victor 21-16, 18-21, 21-15 in the gruelling encounter, the world No.12 became only the second Ind...