India’s star shuttler Lakshya Sen advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 All England Open Super 1000 in Birmingham on Thursday in the men’s singles division. In an hour and twenty minutes, the Indian defeated world No. 3 Anders Antonsen of Denmark 24-22, 11-21, 21-14.
Sen, who is currently ranked 18th in the world, struggled to defeat his more experienced opponent. Before mounting a valiant comeback, he fell behind 2-8 in the decider and 6-11 at the change of ends. Sen had earlier gotten off to a strong start in the match, leading 11 to 9 at the first mid-game break.
After the interval, the Indian led by four points at 15–11 thanks to some brilliant net play, but the Danish shuttler kept the pressure on. Sen had two game points, but Antonsen pulled even. The 22-year-old needed three more game points to win the first game after a fierce battle.
Antonsen bounced back in the second game, taking advantage of Sen’s shortcomings. The Danish player took a lead in mid-game, and played some exquisite shots to win 11-21 and take the match to the deciding game.
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Sen’s total lack of momentum carried over into the final, as he fell behind 2-8 and then 6-11 before the players switched places. However, the Indian got back his mojo after the break, playing some fantastic winners and forcing Antonsen to make unforced errors. Sen persisted in applying pressure and tied the score at 13–13 with a down the line smash. In the decisive moments later, at 15-14, the Indian took the lead for the first time. Sen proceeded to pick up 6 points straight from their, capping off a memorable win.
Sen will now face off against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the quarter-finals on Friday.
