Paris Olympics 2024: Lakshya Sen Begins Campaign with a Thrilling Victory Over Kevin Cordon

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Paris, Jul 27: In a riveting start to his Paris Olympics 2024 campaign, Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen secured a hard-fought victory over Guatemala's Kevin Cordon in Group L on Saturday (July 27).

Ranked 18th in men's singles, Lakshya Sen showcased his prowess early on against World No. 41 Cordon. The young Indian shuttler took control from the outset, dominating the first game with quick point finishes on his serve. July 27 Schedule

The game, devoid of long rallies, saw Sen clinch the first set 21-8, though he eased his intensity towards the end, allowing Cordon to pick up a few points before sealing the game in a best-of-three format.

However, the second set was a different story. Kevin Cordon mounted a strong comeback, challenging Sen and leading for most of the set. Sen's errors provided opportunities for the seasoned Guatemalan, who capitalized on them effectively. At one point, the score stood at 20-16 in favour of Cordon, putting him on the verge of taking the set.

In a dramatic turnaround, Lakshya Sen displayed remarkable resilience, clawing back with four consecutive points to force a deuce. The young Indian then clinched two more points to win the set 22-20, thereby securing the match.

Lakshya Sen's upcoming fixtures in the Paris Olympics

Lakshya Sen's next challenge will be against Belgium's Julien Carraggi on July 29 (Monday). Carraggi currently ranked 52 in men's singles, recently suffered a Round of 32 defeat in the BWF World Tour - Indonesia Open. In contrast, Lakshya Sen advanced to the quarter-finals in the same tournament, highlighting his strong form.

The upcoming match against Julien Carraggi is an opportunity for Sen to further establish his dominance and gain momentum. Given Carraggi's lower ranking and recent form, Sen is favoured to win, but he cannot afford to underestimate his opponent.

Looking ahead, the most anticipated match remains Sen's encounter with Indonesia's third-seed Jonatan Christie. This match is crucial as only one player from the group will qualify for the Round of 16.

Sen will need to be at the top of his game, both mentally and physically, to overcome this challenge. This match will likely determine his fate in the tournament and will be a significant step toward his goal of winning an Olympic medal.