Badminton

India's Kiran George continued his impressive run at the Korea Masters badminton tournament, upsetting third seed Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei in a thrilling three-game match to reach the men's singles quarterfinals.The 24-year-old Indian, ranked 44th in the world, displayed grit and determination to overcome his higher-ranked opponent, who is ranked 31st. George started strongly, taking the first game 21-17. However, Jen fought back in the second game, leveling the match with a 21-19 victory.Undeterred, George regained his composure in the decider, racing to an 8-2 lead. Jen gradually closed the gap, but George held his nerve to seal the game 21-17 and secure his place in the last eight.George's victory was particularly impressive considering he had to dig deep in his opening round match against Vietnam's Kuan Lin Kuo, winning 15-21, 21-12, 21-15.In the quarterfinals, George will face fifth seed Takuma Obayashi of Japan, who is ranked 22nd in the world. George will be aiming to continue his giant-killing run and reach the semifinals of the BWF Super 300 tournament.George's performance in Korea is a testament to his growing maturity and consistency on the international stage. The Indian shuttler has been steadily climbing the world rankings and is now knocking on the door of the top 30.

India's Lakshya Sen's impressive run at the Indonesia Open Super 1000 tournament came to an end in the quarterfinals, as he succumbed to a hard-fought defeat against world no.5 Anders Antonsen of Denmark. The match, which lasted for an hour and one minute, saw Sen put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short, losing 22-24, 18-21.The first game was a closely contested affair, with both players showcasing their exceptional skills. Sen, known for his quick reflexes and aggressive play, matched Antonsen's power and precision. The game went down to the wire, with both players tied at 22-22. However, it was Antonsen who managed to secure the crucial points, taking the game 24-22.The second game followed a similar pattern, with both players refusing to give an inch. Sen displayed his determination and resilience, fighting back from an early deficit to level the scores at 18-18. However, Antonsen's experience and composure proved to be the difference, as he capitalized on Sen's unforced errors to seal the game 21-18.Despite the defeat, Sen's performance at the Indonesia Open Super 1000 tournament was a testament to his growing stature in the badminton world. The 21-year-old Indian has consistently performed at a high level in recent months, and his quarterfinal appearance in Jakarta is a further indication of his potential.Antonsen, on the other hand, continues to be a formidable force in the men's singles circuit. The Danish shuttler has won several major titles in his career, including the 2020 European Championships and the 2021 BWF World Tour Finals. His victory over Sen extends his head-to-head record against the Indian to 3-2.In the semifinals, Antonsen will face eighth seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. Vitidsarn has also been in impressive form this season, having won the Thailand Open Super 500 tournament in May. The match promises to be another exciting encounter, with both players looking to secure a place in the final.