Canada Open 2023: PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen breeze into semi-finals

This is two-time Olympic medallist's third semi-finals appearance this season in the BWF tour

India's top seeds in women's singles and men's singles badminton, PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, progressed to the semi-finals of Canada Open 2023 (BWF 500). The former, two time Olympic medallist, had a smooth sailing into the semi-finals by defeating WR 45 Gao Fang Jie of China in straight games (21-13, 21-7). WR 19 and India's number two, Lakshya Sen got the better off Germany's Julien Carraggi (21-8, 17-21, 21-10) in three games.

This was PV Sindhu's first win against the Chinese in the four meetings so far. Sindhu,28, had a great start to the opening game and was leading by six points at the mid-game interval. From (5-12), Gao made a good comeback (10-14) reducing the deficit from seven to four points through constant attack. Sindhu from here got on the attack mode with one of her smashes reading 341 kmph. She did not look back in the second games as well scoring an easy victory.

Later in the day, Commonwealth Games 2022 champion, Lakshya Sen battled out to progress to the semis in three games against Julien Carraggi. Julien made a good comeback in the second game but couldn't hold on to the momentum sliding down in the final game.

Next up, PV Sindhu will be up against WR 1 Akane Yamaguchi with the former enjoying positive h2h record (14-10). In the men's singles, Lakshya Sen will take on fourth seed Kenta Nishimoto with both enjoying equal h2h (1-1).

India's performance on day 4 of Canada Open 2023

Men's Singles Quarter-finals

Lakshya Sen beat Julien Carraggi (21-8, 17-21, 21-10)

Women's Singles Quarter-finals

PV Sindhu beat Gao Fang Jie (21-13, 21-7)