India's Lakshya Sen fought valiantly but ultimately fell short in the semifinals of the men's singles badminton event at the Paris Olympics. The 22-year-old faced reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen, losing in straight games, 20-22, 14-21.
Lakshya Sen Falls Short in Semifinal Battle
Despite taking significant leads in both games, Sen was unable to maintain his momentum against the world number two. While the defeat is a setback, Sen still has a chance to win a medal. He will face Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match on Monday. Lee Zii Jia was defeated by Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the other semifinal.
Meanwhile, the reigning champion Viktor Axelsen is in awe of Lakshya despite his semifinal win. He termed the match against Lakshya the toughest in the ongoing Paris Olympics and also went on to say that the Indian shuttler will win gold medal in the future.
"Lakshya sen is a amazing Player. He gives me a toughest fight. Toughest match I’ve played this Olympics. He has a great guy and he has the bright future. And I’m sure he will win Gold medal in the future,” Axelsen told Jio Cinema after the match.
Lakshya while ruing his heartbreaking loss in the semifinal, said:
“I will forget this match. Forget all the matches I played. Now it’s just 1 match. And that’s all that matters.”
Lakshya Sen's Intense Battle with Axelsen
Lakshya Sen's match against Viktor Axelsen was characterized by high intensity and extended rallies, particularly in the first game. Axelsen began with a strong start, but Sen quickly adjusted his strategy, shifting from an aggressive approach to a more patient and precise style of play.
Despite uncharacteristic errors from Axelsen, the defending champion demonstrated his resilience. Sen held a comfortable 20-17 lead, but Axelsen mounted a stunning comeback, saving three game points to secure the first game 22-20.
Axelsen Stages Comeback to Reach Final
The second game saw Lakshya Sen establish an early dominance, racing to a 7-0 lead as Axelsen struggled to find his rhythm. However, the reigning Olympic champion showcased his mental fortitude once again, mounting a comeback to level the score at 10-10. Despite Sen's efforts to maintain his advantage, Axelsen's consistent play and powerful smashes ultimately proved decisive. The Dane secured the game 21-14, booking his spot in the Olympic final for the second consecutive time. Axelsen's victory underscored his status as a dominant force in badminton, highlighting his exceptional skills and mental toughness.
Lakshya Sen Aims for Historic Bronze
Lakshya Sen's Olympic journey continues as he competes for the bronze medal against Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia on Monday at 6 PM IST. A victory would secure India's first-ever men's singles badminton medal at the Olympics. Sen has the opportunity to join PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal as India's third Olympic medalist in badminton. Viktor Axelsen, the defending champion, will face Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the gold medal match. Interestingly, Vitidsarn defeated Axelsen in the final of the India Open last year, adding an intriguing element to the upcoming match.
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