Lakshya Sen secured his place in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics badminton men's singles event with a dominant 21-12, 21-6 victory over compatriot HS Prannoy. The Indian shuttler will now face 12th seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei, who progressed after defeating Kodai Naraoka of Japan.
Lakshya Sen Dominates Prannoy in All-Indian Clash
Lakshya Sen made it to the quarterfinals in his first ever Olympic appearance with a dominant win over Prannoy. Prannoy, visibly fatigued after a grueling match the previous day and a recent bout of chikungunya, struggled to match Sen's intensity. The match began at a cautious pace, with both players testing each other. However, Sen soon took control, showcasing impressive defense and powerful smashes. Prannoy's energy levels dipped noticeably in the second game, allowing Sen to dominate proceedings. With this victory, Sen sets up a quarterfinal clash against Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien Chen.
Sen's Dominance Over Prannoy
Lakshya Sen established a clear advantage in the first game, leading 11-6 at the break. He continued to dominate by attacking Prannoy's backhand, although the veteran fought back with some powerful cross-court smashes. However, unforced errors ultimately cost Prannoy the first game, losing 21-12.
The second game was a one-sided affair, with Lakshya showcasing his superior form. Prannoy, visibly fatigued, struggled to defend against Sen's attacks and was unable to mount a challenge, losing the game 6-21.
Lakshya Sen Faces Tough Quarterfinal Challenge
Lakshya Sen will face a stern test in the quarterfinals as he takes on Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien Chen. The two players have crossed paths four times previously, with Sen holding a 1-3 record against the experienced 34-year-old. Their most recent encounter was at the Singapore Open in 2023, where Sen suffered a three-game defeat.
Earlier in the day, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, India's top men's doubles pair, were eliminated from the Paris Olympics badminton tournament on Thursday. The duo lost to Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the quarterfinals by a score of 21-13, 14-21, 16-21.
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