Sports

Paris Olympics 2024: Lakshya Sen Topples Third Seed Jonatan Christie, book a place pre-QTR

• By IANS, Paris
• Jul 31, 2024
• 567

Lakshya Sen pulled off an upset win over the third seed Indonesian Jonatan Christie 21-18, 21-12 in his final Group L men’s singles match at the Paris Olympics.
 
Despite a rocky start which saw the Indian trailing 8-2 in the first game, Sen dug deep to turn the game on its head and fought back to level it at 10-all. A topsy-turvy encounter saw both shuttlers tied at 18-18 before Sen pulled ahead to take the 21-18 win in the first game.

The 22-year old continued his aggressive style of play and brilliantly fended of any attempts that the World No. 4 shuttler made of inching back into the game, sealing the match with a 21-12 win in the second game.

The win sealed Lakshya’s spot in the pre-quarterfinal round, where he may face compatriot H.S Prannoy if the latter wins his matchup against Vietnamese shuttler Le Duc Phat later in the day.

India’s medal hope in the women’s singles category, PV Sindhu was in action before Sen’s match, where she comfortably defeated Estonia's Kristin Kuuba 21-5, 21-10 and topped Group M to seal Round of 16 berth.

After reaching the women's pre-quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics, India's ace shuttler PV Sindhu is geared up to face the challenge awaiting in the knockout stage of the competition, as she admitted that 'there are not going to be easy matches.'

Sindhu, who is playing in her third Olympics, topped Group M after defeating Estonia's Kristin Kuuba 21-5, 21-10 on Wednesday. She earlier defeated Maldives' Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq in her opening match.

"I can't take it easy. I have to top the group and I had to be my best and to see what the court conditions are. It was a good game and I have to prepare for the next match," said Sindhu after reaching the round of 16.

Reflecting on the court condition, Sindhu said, "It is bit fast on one side but we will have to manage it. We don't have excuses so you have to manage it as we have been playing for so many years. You have to give shuttle in the court and see where the drift is and accordingly, keep changing..." she added.

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