PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen secured dominant victories at the Paris Olympics, progressing into the pre-quarterfinals.
Paris Olympics: PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen led their teams and stormed into the pre-quarterfinal badminton singles tournament.
India’s badminton heavyweights PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen stormed into the men’s and women’s freestyle events ahead of the finals at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday.
Sindhu, chasing an unprecedented third Olympic medal:
Didn’t have to work hard to get past Estonia’s Kristin Kuuba 21-5 21-10 in her second and final Group M match, period a Sen scored 21-18 21-12 The only sensation was of Indonesia world number 4 Jonatan Christie, the reigning champion of England and all Asia.
“I think it was a tough match today, happy with the way I played,” the world No. 22 Sen.
“Yeah, definitely (gold in sight). I think the road has really improved over the last few months.”
“There have been ups and downs, but overall I’ve been in good shape over the last few months, and especially playing here at the French Open I’ve found my strengths, and then.””I think it was a tough match today, happy with the way I played,” the world No. 22 Sen.
“Yeah, definitely (gold in sight). I think the road has really improved over the last few months.”
“I’m just trying to build into a good practice and I’m really pumped to fight every match and every point.”
While Sen is likely to face world number 13 HS Pranoy in the all-India event, Sindhu is expected to face 11-loss and nine-win world number 9 He Bingjiao of China.
It must be mentioned that Sindhu had defeated the Chinese on her way to the bronze medal at the Tokyo Games.
Prannoy will take on Le Duc Phat of Vietnam later in the day.
The only time Sen beat Christie was four years ago at the Badminton Asia Team Championships, coming into the match on a disappointing 1-4 head-to-head count.
But the 22-year-old from Almora, a bronze medalist at the 2021 World Championships, showed great maturity and tactical skills as he went about his business on Wednesday
He flattened the shuttle and tried to aim for a weak forehand from Christie, who was looking to slow down rallies and trouble the Indian with his cross-court shots in the corners, though he wasn’t very successful
Christie opened up a 5-0 lead in the first game and quickly made it 8-2. But Senn quickly regrouped, flattened the shuttle and waited for his opponent to make a mistake.
It worked as he went 7-8 before a thunderous forehand smash reduced the Indian’s one-point advantage.
It went 14-12 when he joined Sen. Christie in after a fast and flat transition, and the latter slowed the pace with a frustrating rally, which he won by pushing the back lane.
With a precise cross-court smash that a diving Sen was unable to reach, the Indonesian pulled even at 16–16 and quickly built a two-point lead at 18–16. Sen hit a wide smash after Sen hit a straight one, and the score was 18–18.
Sen got game point midway through the subsequent rally after a flawless flat push and an amazing behind-the-back return, which he converted with ease to claim the trophy.
Sen made some poor decisions at the backline after the switch of sides, and the game ended in a 3-3 tie. However, the Indian continued to play at a fast pace and pepper the back court with his pushes and smashes. As he advanced to 10-5, his reflex defense was equally unwavering.
It was another error by Christie and a five-point advantage for Sen at the halfway mark. The Indian landed a flurry of punches on his opponent, not allowing him to get to the net.
The Indonesian made too many errors in frustration and nearly missed the mark as Sen went 18-12. Another thin exchange ended up in the net as Sen approached the line.
Another long session ended in a long throw for Indonesia as Sen picked up eight match points and when Indonesia sent another into the net, the Indian was thrilled.
Dominant show by Sindhu:
Earlier, Kuuba, ranked 73rd in the world, was easily defeated by Sindhu, who is attempting to become the first Indian to win three Olympic medals, to top the group. Kuuba took 33 minutes to complete the meet.
“It was crucial that I place first in the group. The majority of my games would be against He Bingjiao. I’m hoping to move forward with this confidence. “I have to be ready and give it my all because it’s going to be difficult, especially in the upcoming rounds,” said Sindhu, the 2016 Rio Games silver medallist and the Tokyo edition bronze winner.
Each of the 16 group winners advances to the round of 16.
The difference in skill between the two players was clear as Sindhu won the first game in just 14 minutes, leaving the Estonian player looking utterly disoriented.
In the second game, Kuuba, who is 27 years old, put up a fight.
After two cross-court smashes put Sindhu ahead 15–6, the Estonian was never able to recover, giving up two match points in the process.