India's Lakshya Sen stuns world number 3 to secure pre-quarterfinal spot in men's badminton at Paris Olympics
Jul 31, 2024, 15:19 IST
In a thrilling showcase of skill and determination, India's Lakshya Sen has made headlines at the Paris Olympics by advancing to the pre-quarterfinals of the men’s singles badminton competition on Wednesday. The 22-year-old from Almora delivered a sensational performance, defeating Indonesia's world number 3 Jonatan Christie in straight games.
Sen, who clinched a bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships, displayed a blend of tactical brilliance and composure to overcome Christie, the reigning All England and Asian champion. This impressive victory came after a gruelling 50-minute match that saw Sen turn the tide in his favour, particularly with a remarkable behind-the-back shot at 20-18 in the first game. The encounter ended with scores of 21-18, 21-12.
The win was a significant boost for Sen, marking only his second victory over Christie in their six clashes. The pair’s previous meetings had seen Sen fall short, but he turned the tables in this crucial clash, demonstrating his growth and resilience on the court.
Sen’s journey to the pre-quarterfinals included a solid start in Group L, where he initially faced Kevin Cordon, a Tokyo Olympics semifinalist. However, Cordon had to withdraw due to an elbow injury, leading to the match being nullified. Sen’s subsequent victory over Belgium’s Julien Carraggi further solidified his path to the knockout stages.
Looking ahead, Sen is poised to face compatriot HS Prannoy in the pre-quarterfinals, with Prannoy set to play Vietnam's Le Duc Phat later in the day.
In a parallel development, PV Sindhu continued India’s strong performance in badminton, securing her place in the women’s singles pre-quarterfinals. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, breezed through her match against Estonia’s Kristin Kuuba, winning 21-5, 21-10 in just 33 minutes.
As the Olympic badminton tournaments progress, both Sen and Sindhu’s performances are setting the stage for a potentially historic badminton run for India in Paris.
(With inputs from PTI)
Advertisement
Sen, who clinched a bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships, displayed a blend of tactical brilliance and composure to overcome Christie, the reigning All England and Asian champion. This impressive victory came after a gruelling 50-minute match that saw Sen turn the tide in his favour, particularly with a remarkable behind-the-back shot at 20-18 in the first game. The encounter ended with scores of 21-18, 21-12.
The win was a significant boost for Sen, marking only his second victory over Christie in their six clashes. The pair’s previous meetings had seen Sen fall short, but he turned the tables in this crucial clash, demonstrating his growth and resilience on the court.
Sen’s journey to the pre-quarterfinals included a solid start in Group L, where he initially faced Kevin Cordon, a Tokyo Olympics semifinalist. However, Cordon had to withdraw due to an elbow injury, leading to the match being nullified. Sen’s subsequent victory over Belgium’s Julien Carraggi further solidified his path to the knockout stages.
Looking ahead, Sen is poised to face compatriot HS Prannoy in the pre-quarterfinals, with Prannoy set to play Vietnam's Le Duc Phat later in the day.
In a parallel development, PV Sindhu continued India’s strong performance in badminton, securing her place in the women’s singles pre-quarterfinals. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, breezed through her match against Estonia’s Kristin Kuuba, winning 21-5, 21-10 in just 33 minutes.
Advertisement
As the Olympic badminton tournaments progress, both Sen and Sindhu’s performances are setting the stage for a potentially historic badminton run for India in Paris.
(With inputs from PTI)