Badminton

Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen has secured a place in the pre-quarters of the ongoing Paris Olympics after defeating Indonesia's Jonatan Christie in the men's singles Group L match. Sen's victory came in straight sets, 21-18, 21-12, in a match that lasted 50 minutes at the La Chapelle Arena.Sen dominated the match from the start, winning the first game 8-2. He continued his momentum in the second game, capitalizing on Christie's errors to close out the match. With this win, Sen topped the men's singles Group L and could potentially face HS Prannoy in the upcoming Round of 16 match.Sen's performance has been particularly impressive, with one of his backhand shots going viral on social media. Internet users have hailed the shot as "mad" and "god-like," inspiring budding badminton champions.Earlier in the tournament, Sen defeated Julien Carraggi of Belgium in straight sets, 21-19, 21-14. He also had a dominating win over Guatemala's Kevin Cordon, but the result was later deleted after Cordon withdrew from the Olympics due to an injury.Sen's success in the Paris Olympics is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has emerged as one of India's top badminton players and is expected to continue his winning streak in the upcoming matches.

India's HS Prannoy made a triumphant debut at the Olympics, securing a straight-game victory over Fabian Roth of Germany in the men's singles competition. Despite battling chikungunya in the lead-up to the Games, Prannoy showcased remarkable fitness and determination in his 21-18, 21-12 triumph.The 32-year-old from Kerala faced a stern test from Roth, who engaged him in intense rallies. However, Prannoy's superior experience and tactical acumen proved decisive. After trailing 14-11 in the first game, he surged ahead with a flurry of points, converting two game points after Roth's error at the net.In the second game, Prannoy asserted his dominance, finding his range and constructing rallies with precision. His deft touch and attacking shots proved too much for Roth, who struggled to keep pace. Prannoy's net game was particularly impressive, helping him to build a comfortable lead.With eight match points in hand, Prannoy sealed the victory after Roth's wide shot. The Indian shuttler's performance was a testament to his resilience and unwavering spirit. He will now face Le Duc Phat of Vietnam in his final group match, aiming to secure a berth in the knockout stage.Prannoy's victory marks a significant milestone for Indian badminton. It is the first time an Indian male shuttler has won a match in the Olympics since 2012. His success is a testament to the growing strength of Indian badminton and the country's potential to excel on the world stage.

Kidambi Srikanth's Swiss Open 2024 campaign ended in disappointment as the Indian badminton star succumbed to a hard-fought defeat in the men's singles semi-finals. Facing world No. 22 Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei, Srikanth displayed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short in a thrilling three-game encounter.The match began with Srikanth asserting his dominance, showcasing his trademark offensive smashes and deft net play to secure the opening game 21-15. However, Chun-Yi responded with a vengeance in the second game, swiftly turning a 4-1 deficit into a 6-5 lead. The Chinese Taipei shuttler then unleashed a devastating run of seven consecutive points, leaving Srikanth trailing 12-6. Despite a late surge, Srikanth could not recover, losing the game 9-21.The decider proved to be a nail-biting affair, with both players trading blows. Chun-Yi seized an early 4-1 advantage, but Srikanth fought back to establish a narrow 11-10 lead at the interval. The game remained fiercely contested until the closing stages, when Chun-Yi broke away with three straight points to take a 19-16 lead. Srikanth's unforced errors proved costly, allowing Chun-Yi to seal the victory 21-18.Srikanth's exit marked the end of India's challenge at the Swiss Open. Priyanshu Rajawat and Kiran George bowed out in the quarterfinals, while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also failed to progress. PV Sindhu's campaign ended in the second round of the women's singles.Despite the setback, Srikanth's performance at the Swiss Open was a testament to his enduring quality. The former world number one remains a formidable force on the international circuit and will be determined to bounce back stronger in future tournaments.