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,
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)