World Championships medalist Lakshya Sen introduced out his finest when wanted as he survived a thriller within the All England Open quarter-finals in opposition to former champion Lee Zii Jia. Lakshya defeated the Tenth-ranked Malaysian 20-22, 21-16, 21-19 in a sensational come-from-behind victory in a match that spanned an hour and 10 minutes on the United Area in Birmingham on Friday.
Lakshya Sen reached the semi-finals of the celebrated event in Birmingham for the second time in his profession after his runner-up end in 2022. It is the second successive semi-final on the tour for the World No. 18, who appears to be peaking on the proper time to remain in competition for a spot within the Paris Olympics later this 12 months.
Lakshya Sen is the lone Indian left within the fray within the All England Open after a surprising second-round exit for World No. 1 doubles pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu went down in straight video games in opposition to prime seed An Se Younger within the ladies’s singles second spherical on Thursday.
Lakshya, watched on by his mentor Prakash Padukone, placed on a sensational present in opposition to Lee to maintain India’s hopes of manufacturing an All England Open champion for the primary time in 23 years alive. Solely Padukone (1981) and Pullela Gopichand (2001) have gone on to win All England crowns for the nation prior to now.
LAKSHYA WINS BATTLE OF NERVES
It was Lakshya Sen’s 4th win in 5 conferences over the 2021 All England champion Lee, who appears to have been struggling to seek out consistency within the new season. Nonetheless, Lee produced a sensational battle in opposition to Lakshya, who had to make use of each ounce of power and grit left in his tank to outlive a stiff take a look at on Friday.
Lakshya Sen saved his composure in opposition to an attacking Lee, trusting his defence and turning the warmth on when wanted in a battle that enthralled followers. Lakshya didn’t have the room to chill out as he was main 19-15 within the decider, solely to see Lee preventing again and leveling issues up. Lakshya’s decsion-making abilities got here to the fore because the younger Indian held his nerve to seal an exhilarating remaining recreation and guide a spot within the semi-final.
After shedding a tense opening recreation 20-22, Lakshya was put underneath relentless stress by Lee, who went on a smashing spree. Lakshya’s defensive solidity helped him fend off the attacking strikes, however Lee by no means allowed the younger Indian to run away with the sport.
Nevertheless, Lakshya produced a sensational change in momentum towards the top, successful 7 straight factors from 14-16 to drive a decider.
The third and remaining recreation was as soon as once more a closely-fought affair. Lakshya was in command of the rallies extra and his aggression got here out within the third recreation. He regarded set for a snug win when main 19-15. Nevertheless, Lee threw the kitchen sink at him, successful 4 straight factors to make it 19-19. Lakshya prevailed within the thrilling end and sunk to the court docket in delight earlier than he went over to speak with Prakash Padukone and Vimal Kumar at the same time as the 2 coaches had been busy dissecting the teen’s recreation on Friday.
Lakshya Sen will face the winner of one other quarter-final between Indonesia’s Jonathan Christie and China’s second-seeded Shi Yuqi within the semi-final on Saturday.
