India’s top shuttler and the World No. 19 Lakshya Sen advanced to the semi-finals of the French Open 2024, as he posted a three-game win over old foe, Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew on Friday. The World Championships bronze medalist from 2021, got the better of Yew 19-21, 21-15, 21-13 in a 78-minute thrilling contest in Paris.
This performance is a shot in the arm for struggling Lakshya Sen, who had been far from his best since last year, and which could prove detrimental in his qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympics. In fact, a semis appearance at the ongoing French Open, is his first since Japan Open in July 2023.
Now, in the last four, Lakshya is all set to face Kunlavut Vitidsarn, a known rival. With World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen already out of the tournament, the Indian has the opportunity to go all the way.
Satwik/Chirag in Semis at French Open, PV Sindhu OUT
Earlier in the day, the team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also moved a step closer to the title. The duo beat Thailand’s Supak Jomkoh and Kittinupong Kedren 21-19, 21-13, ranked 32nd in the world. They will now face world champions and third seeds Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae in the next round.
Unfortunately, PV Sindhu, who is on a comeback trail, lost her quarters battle against Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei of China. The Indian went down 24-22, 17-21, 18-21, but not before giving a solid fight to her opponent.