Paris August 4 2024 : India’s bid for its first-ever Olympic badminton gold was thwarted on Sunday as Lakshya Sen lost to reigning champion Viktor Axelsen in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics. Despite a valiant effort, Sen was defeated in straight games with scores of 20-22, 14-21. The 22-year-old Indian now looks to secure a bronze medal when he faces Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the third-place match.
Sen’s semifinal clash against Axelsen was marked by intense rallies and a high level of skill. The match began with Axelsen quickly taking the lead, but Sen adapted well, showing patience and precision to engage in prolonged exchanges. Despite Sen holding a 20-17 advantage in the first game, Axelsen staged a dramatic comeback, saving three game points to clinch the game 22-20.
In the second game, Sen surged ahead with a 7-0 lead, capitalizing on Axelsen’s early struggles. However, the Danish shuttler’s resilience shone through as he equalized at 10-10 and eventually pulled away to win the game 21-14. Axelsen’s experience and mental toughness secured his place in the Olympic final for the second consecutive time.
Sen’s hopes for a medal are still alive. He will face Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia in the bronze medal match, scheduled for Monday at 6 PM IST. A win would make Sen the third Indian to win an Olympic badminton medal, following PV Sindhu’s silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020, and Saina Nehwal’s bronze in London 2012.
Axelsen will compete against Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the final. Vitidsarn, who defeated Lee Zii Jia in the semifinals with scores of 21-14, 21-15, had previously bested Axelsen in last year’s India Open final.
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