India’s badminton stars are making waves at the Paris 2024 Olympics. PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and HS Prannoy have all secured their spots in the knockout stages of their respective events, setting the stage for some thrilling matches ahead.
PV Sindhu Dominates Group Stage
The day kicked off with a stellar performance from PV Sindhu, the two-time Olympic medalist. She comfortably defeated world No. 73 Kristin Kuuba of Estonia with a scoreline of 21-5, 21-10. This victory not only secured her spot in the knockout stages but also placed her at the top of her group.
“I’m very happy, and of course, it was important for me to top the group, to be its number one,” said the 29-year-old Sindhu.
Sindhu’s dominance in the group stage sets her up for a challenging round of 16 match against the sixth-seeded He Bingjiao of China on Monday. Sindhu acknowledges the difficulty of the upcoming match but remains confident.
“It won’t be an easy match (against He Bingjiao),” Sindhu said. “But at the same time, I hope I’ll take this confidence and move forward with it. Every match is important, you can’t expect easy matches or points. I have to be prepared and give myself entirely.”
He Bingjiao leads their head-to-head record 11-9 and won their last encounter at the Asian Games quarter-finals last year. However, Sindhu triumphed over Bingjiao in the Tokyo 2020 bronze medal match.
Lakshya Sen Stuns Jonathan Christie
In the men’s singles, the unseeded Lakshya Sen delivered a remarkable performance, defeating the third-seeded Indonesian Jonathan Christie in straight sets, 21-18, 21-12. Christie, the reigning Asian Games and All England champion, started strong with an 8-2 lead, but Lakshya Sen rallied back, winning seven consecutive points and ultimately taking the game.
A series of unforced errors from Christie in the second game allowed Sen to gain an 11-6 advantage at the break. The 22-year-old Indian maintained his momentum, sealing the match in 50 minutes.
HS Prannoy Overcomes Early Setback
HS Prannoy, world No. 13 and an Asian Games bronze medalist, showcased his resilience by coming from a game down to defeat Vietnam’s 70th-ranked Le Duc Phat. Prannoy won the match 16-21, 21-11, 21-12, setting up an exciting round of 16 clash with compatriot Lakshya Sen.
Doubles Success for Satwik-Chirag Duo
Adding to India’s success, the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty confirmed their quarter-finals berth on Tuesday. They will face Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, promising yet another thrilling encounter for Indian badminton fans.
Exciting Matches Ahead
The upcoming matches in the knockout stages are set to be intense. With PV Sindhu facing He Bingjiao and the much-anticipated clash between Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy, Indian badminton enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to. These matches will test the skills, resilience, and determination of India’s top shuttlers as they aim for Olympic glory at Paris 2024.