Coming into the Paris Olympics 2024, many would have expected a medal in badminton from Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in the men’s doubles section. PV Sindhu was looked at as a player who had an outside chance in the women’s singles. But no one really gave a chance to World Championships bronze medalist from 2022, Lakshya Sen.
Cut to August 3rd, the lad from Almora is all set to appear in the Olympics semis on Sunday, that too vs Tokyo 2020 champion, Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen. So where does that put Lakshya’s prospect for a medal? Pretty high, if one looks at the way he has played so far. While it might difficult to get past the Dane, it is not impossible, and not something that Lakshya Sen has not done in the past. In the seven matches between the two, the Indian has posted one win.
And to add to that, the youngster has removed higher ranked opponents in his semis’ journey so far. Ranked 22nd in the world, Lakshya has beaten World No. 4 Jonatan Christie in straight games, then Chou Tien Chen in three games, who is ranked 11th in the world.
“So far in this tournament, Lakshya has been brilliant,” said former India shuttler and coach P Kashyap. The latter was also mighty impressed with the way the Indian has bounced back from tricky situations, with his ‘never say die attitude’.
“Look at all his matches, he has comeback from some situations where no one expected him to. Against Kevin Cordon, in the second game, Kevin had a lead of 20-16, but Lakshya came back from there. Then against Christie, he was trailing 2-8 in the first game, and made a comeback from there. So yes, he’s in good form in the tournament, and that should hold him in good stead,” Kashyap said.
Asked about what would be the best way to beat Viktor Axelsen, and what are the realistic chances of Lakshya making it to the finals, Kashyap did not mince his words at all. In fact, he quickly pointed out, what the 22-year-old should refrain from doing. “Look, Lakshya need not attack too much. By that I only mean, that he needs to take things slow, and go for longer rallies.
“Viktor isn’t someone against whom you would get a point for playing and excellent smash, or a surprising drop shot. You need to wait for him to make mistakes. Mind you, those mistakes will only come, when Lakshya tires him a bit. In my eyes, that is the only way he can win. And Viktor is beatable.
“But since Viktor must be tracking each and every movement of Lakshya, I would still say, it is 70-30 in former’s favour. But I’m hoping for the best,” Kashyap concluded.
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