Paris Olympics 2024: Lakshya Sen wins, Ashwini-Tanisha out of contention

Lakshya Sen needs a win against Jonatan Christie to make it to the Round of 16.

World No. 18 Lakshya Sen hung tough to beat Belgium’s Julien Carraggi 21-19, 21-14 in an exciting Group L clash in the Paris Olympics 2024. Sen’s adventure during the battle was nothing short of the ultimate show of skills and prowess.

Sen came out strong, but Carraggi fought back in a closely-contested first game. The intensity between the two athletes was high, with extended rallies being staged in a show of agility and precision. Sen did not give in to Carraggi’s pressure, responding well with big points of his own due to emphatic smashes and astute net play, winning the first game 21-19 in 22 minutes.

In the second game, Sen established his supremacy through tactical acumen combined with swift shuttle movement and precision in shots, which forced Carraggi on the back foot. The manner in which Sen dictated the pace of play and forced errors from his opponent settled the outcome of the match.

Carraggi did try to get back into the match, but Sen did enough to never let his opponent get closer than a couple of points. His stable play, coupled with few errors, ensured that he always stayed way ahead of his opponent, whom he closed out 21-14 eventually.

Also Read: Badminton at Paris Olympics 2024: Updated schedule, fixtures, squad, results, live streaming details

The result was not only significant for India’s badminton campaign at the Paris Olympics 2024, but it also set the tone for him to advance further in the competition. The upcoming challenge is definitely going to be tougher; Sen will face another tough opponent, World No. 3, Jonatan Christie, in the group itself.

The 22-year-old will need to pick up a win against Christie to enter the Round of 16. Christie holds a 4-1 head-to-head record against the youngster. But, Sen can overcome pressure and he is in his best form at Paris Olympics 2024.

Elsewhere, it was not a positive outing for the duo of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, as they bowed out from the medal rounds in the women’s doubles category after suffering defeats in their two group matches at Paris Olympics 2024. Their latest opponents were Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida.

Ponappa and Crasto lost the match 21-11, 21-12 as the Japanese duo proved the uncompromising attitude of the Olympic stage. The Indian pair will next take on Australians Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu.

It will be the final group match for Ponappa and Crasto as only the top two pairs from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals at Paris Olympics 2024. The duo will hope to record their first win at Paris.

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