Lakshya Sen fights hard but goes down in straight games against reigning Olympics champion Viktor Axelsen

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Lakshya Sen of India lost his badminton men's single semi-final match at Paris Olympics 2024 against second seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 20-22, 14-21 on Sunday, August 4.

Lakshya Sen, who became the first Indian men's singles player to qualify for the badminton semi-final after beating Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan on Friday, took early lead against Axelsen in both the games, but could not capitalise on the advantage.

The 22-year-old Indian was leading 14-8 in the first game, but the Danish star bounced back heroically to save three game points before taking a 1-0 lead. The reigning Olympics champion oozed class and used his 6-feet-3-inch height to great advantage.He showed nerves of steel at critical moments and brought in all his experience on the big stage.

Lakshya Sen took a 7-0 lead in the second game and the scores were levelled as 12-12 at one stage, however he could earn two more points before losing the game and the match.

Viktor Axelsen, the second-ranked men's singles badminton player in the world, congratulated young Sen for fighting bravely in the match before breaking into a wild celebration. He also gestured two with his fingers, understandably for the second consecutive Olympic gold medal he was chasing.

Lakshya could not book a place in the final, but will have the opportunity to win a historic bronze when he meets Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia on Monday, August 5. No Indian male shuttler has won an Olympics medal till date.

India have never won an Olympic gold medal in badminton, with PV Sindhu claiming a silver and bronze at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, respectively and Saina Nehwal settling for a bronze at the London Olympics.