Lakshya Sen Triumphs in Olympic Badminton Debut

Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen secured a straight-game victory over Belgium's Julien Carraggi in his Olympic debut. Despite his initial win against Kevin Cordon being wiped out, Sen showcased remarkable resilience. He is set to face Indonesian star Jonatan Christie in a decisive match to secure a pre-quarterfinal spot.

Indian badminton sensation Lakshya Sen showcased his prowess by defeating Belgium's Julien Carraggi in straight games during his men's singles group match at the Olympic Games on Monday. This victory comes after his initial win against Tokyo Olympics semifinalist Kevin Cordon was nullified.

The 22-year-old debuted at the Olympics with an impressive 21-19, 21-14 win over Carraggi. Despite a slow start, Sen's persistence shone through as he overcame a trailing position in the first game. Ranked 18th in the world, he recovered from an 8-12 deficit to level at 18-18, eventually securing the first game.

Sen, who clinched a gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, controlled the second game from the start. Up 11-4 at the change of ends, he maintained his dominance to finish 21-14. Sen is now gearing up to face world number three Jonatan Christie, with a pre-quarterfinal spot on the line.

(With inputs from agencies.)