2024 Paris Olympics, badminton: India's Lakshya Sen loses in semis
India's 22-year-old shuttler Lakshya Sen was beaten by Denmark's Viktor Axelsen at the La Chapelle Arena in the men's singles badminton clash on Sunday. Sen, who became the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semis of an Olympic event, lost 20-22, 14-21 against the Dane. Sen is still alive at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He will feature in the bronze medal match.
Axelsen pips Sen 22-20 in the first game
The first game started in an intense fashion. Credit to Sen as he gained an 11-9 lead at the mid-game interval. Axelsen was trying to pin Sen to the baseline, but the Indian stood tall with his smashes, causing problems. Sen enjoyed a seven-point run on either side of the break and took a 15-10 and 18-13 lead. Axelsen fought back and won 22-20
Sen wastes opportunity in the first game despite leading
Sen looked tired and lost his concentration in the final moments. He had three game points at 20-17 but Axelsen showed his class to win five points on the bounce and pocket the game in a brilliant fashion.
Sen loses steam after magnificent start in second game
Sen was off the mark in a brilliant fashion in the second game. He went 7-0 up as Axelsen struggled with some few misjudgements. Axelsen gathered his focus thereafter and pulled the strings as Sen's lead was curtailed to 8-7. The mid-game interval saw the scoreline being 11-10 in Sen's favor. Axelsen gained momentum after the mid-game interval and dispatched Sen in no time.
Here's the head-to-head record
This was the 8th meeting between the pair. Axelsen came into this contest with a 7-1 win-loss record and three successive wins. Sen had beaten Axelsen before that at the 2022 German Open semis. Axelsen won the pair's first four meetings.
Sen's journey in 2024 Paris
Placed in Group L, Sen won all his matches. He beat Guatamela's Kevin Cordon 21-8, 22-20 in the opener. Belgium's Julien Carraggi was beaten next in a 21-19, 21-14 affair. Sen took down Indonesia's Jonatan Christie 21-18, 21-12. In R16, Sen dispatched fellow Indian HS Prannoy 21-12, 21-6. Sen overcame Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in three games. And now, Axelsen overcame Sen.
Axelsen is a two-time Olympic medalist
Axelsen is a two-time medalist at the Olympics. He won the bronze medal in 2016 Rio de Janeiro. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Axelsen took down 2016 Games gold medalist Chen Long of China in the final. He has assured himself a 3rd medal.
