Lakshya Sen beats World's 4th ranked shuttler, moves to round of 16

India's Lakshya Sen made headlines by advancing to the pre-quarterfinals of men's singles badminton at the Paris Olympics. Sen, in a stunning performance, defeated World No. 4 and reigning All-England champion Jonatan Christie in a crucial Group L match on Wednesday, July 31. The match lasted 50 minutes, with Sen securing a sensational win (21-18, 21-12) over the 2018 Asian Games gold medalist. This victory sent shockwaves through the badminton world, as Christie was one of the top favorites to win a medal at the Paris Games.

Lakshya Sen became the first Indian men's singles shuttler to reach the knockout stage in the Olympics since Kidambi Srikanth at the 2016 Rio Games. In contrast, Sai Praneeth, India's lone competitor in men's singles at the Tokyo Olympics, did not progress past the group stage. Heading into the match, Sen had a challenging 1-4 head-to-head record against Christie, having lost to him twice earlier this year, including a semi-final defeat at the All England Open in Birmingham.

Despite losing the toss and finding himself trailing 5-0 and then 8-2, Sen's ability to adapt was remarkable. Instead of playing high lifts, he pressured Christie with flat rallies, showcasing his resilience and tactical prowess. Sen managed to turn the game around, leading 11-10 at the mid-game interval.

Christie fought back, staying close and almost taking the opening game. However, Sen's tenacity shone through as he won five consecutive points from 16-18 to clinch the first game. Sen's audacity was evident, especially when he played a behind-the-back shot, leaving the Paris crowd in awe.

Lakshya Sen's victory is a testament to his skill and determination, proving he can overcome the odds and compete with the best in the world.