BWF World Championships- Lakshya Sen in semifinals: Lakshya Sen became the youngest-ever Indian to enter the semifinals of the BWF World Badminton Championships. On Friday, the 20-year-old beat China’s Zhao Jun Peng in the quarterfinals 21-15, 15-21, 22-20 in Huelva, Spain. With the win, India confirmed a medal in the World Championships as Sen will face fellow Indian ace Kidambi Srikanth. Follow BWF World Championships Live Updates on InsideSport.IN
Battling at court 2, the Indian went past the Chinese shuttler by 21-15, 15-21, 22-20 in a titanic one hour and seven minutes clash. With this win, the 20-year-old confirmed India’s second medal at the 2021 BWF World Championships and his first medal at the Worlds. Sen will now clash with Srikanth Kidambi for a place in the final. This means India will return with at least one silver medal from Spain.
BWF World Championship: Lakshya Sen creates history, becomes youngest ever Indian male shuttler to enter semifinals of World Championships
DREAMY 😍@lakshya_sen ensures his 1st & 🇮🇳’s 12th medal at #WorldChampionships after he cruised through to the semis in style by defeating 🇨🇳’s Zhao Jun Peng 21-15, 15-21, 22-20 in the last-8 at #BWFWorldChampionships2021 💪#WorldChampionships2021#IndiaontheRise#Badminton pic.twitter.com/ITFNuNFmqu
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) December 17, 2021
Trailing at the first break, the Indian world No. 19 absolutely dominated after the restart and exhibited some impressive court presence to go a game up against the Chinese shuttler.
Chinese world No. 42 then stepped up his game and came out all guns blazing in the second game. Zhao Jun Peng found a way to curb Sen’s offensive shots and forced a decider.
The third game was all but one-sided as the shuttle kept changing the racquet of both players. Although, Zhao Jun Peng had the 11-8 lead against the Indian at the midgame break but Lakshya clawed his way back to level the final game 11-11.
BWF World Championship: Lakshya Sen creates history, becomes youngest ever Indian male shuttler to enter semifinals of World Championships
With the game at 19-20, the Indian saved a match point and proceeded to win the match by holding his nerves.
Earlier, Kidambi Srikanth defeated Mark Caljouw to cruise into the semi-finals of the Championships. Former world number one Indian thrashed the Dutch shuttler by 21-8, 21-7 in a contest that lasted for just 26 minutes.
Ahead of the match, Lakshya’s coach Vimal Kumar told InsideSport that he is happy with the tenacity the youngster has played with. “He fought hard. I was surprised with the tenacity he showed especially in the final set. Now he has to utilise his off day and his full focus has to be on recovery. It is a demanding schedule and for him to be on the top of his game, proper recovery is going to be vital,” Vimal Kumar told InsideSport.
Now, the youngster will be up against a seasoned Kidambi Srikanth.
BWF World Championship: Lakshya Sen creates history, becomes youngest ever Indian male shuttler to enter semifinals of World Championships
