Badminton

Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen has made a strong start to his Paris Olympics campaign, securing a straight-sets victory over Belgium's Julien Carraggi in the Group L men's singles match. The 43-minute encounter at the La Chapelle Arena saw Sen overcome a four-point deficit in the first game and dominate the second, winning 21-19, 21-14.Sen's victory comes after a setback on Sunday when his win over Guatemala's Kevin Cordon was "deleted" due to Cordon's withdrawal from the Olympics due to a left elbow injury. As per BWF regulations, the result of the match was removed, and Sen's ranking will be determined based on his remaining two Group L matches.In the women's doubles, India's hopes suffered a blow as the pair of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa were defeated by the world number four Japanese duo of Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida. The Indian pair lost 11-21, 12-21 in a one-sided Group C clash.Despite the setback in women's doubles, Sen's victory provides a boost to India's badminton campaign. The 22-year-old has shown impressive form, demonstrating his ability to overcome challenges and secure crucial wins. As he prepares for his remaining Group L matches, Sen will be aiming to continue his winning streak and secure a place in the knockout stages.