Paris Olympics 2024: Lakshya Sen Stuns Jonatan Christie To March Into Badminton Singles Pre-Quarterfinals

Paris: Lakshya Sen did the unthinkable as the Indian stunned higher-ranked Jonatan Christie of Indonesia 21-18, 21-12 in straight games to mark into the pre-quarterfinals of men’s singles badminton event at the Paris Olympics 2024. This was also Sen’s second win over Christie in his career. Earlier, among women, PV Sindhu also booked a place in the round of 16 with a win over Kristin Kubba.

Coming into the match with a make-or-break situation, Sen needed a win to advance into the second round. This was after his first win against Kevin Cordon was ‘deleted’ following the Guatemalan shuttler’s withdrawal due to injury.

Trailing 0-4 in his first game at one point, Sen make a brilliant comeback to win the first set 21-18. In the second, the All England champion was no match for the Indian as Sen took a six-point lead at one point to eventually win the game 21-12.

Meanwhile, it might be an all-Indian affair in the Round of 16 as Sen is likely to meet HS Prannoy in the next round, provided the latter wins later in the day against Le Đuc Phat of Vietnam. Prannoy has won his first match and is just a win away from securing his last 16 spot. Sen, a gold medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, had defeated Julien Carraggi of Belgium before this game.