"In the second game... I wasn't playing freely" - Lakshya Sen after crossing the Kevin Cordon hurdle in Paris Olympics 2024
When Lakshya Sen breezed through the first game 21-8, expectant eyes in the La Chapelle Arena zoomed in on Guatemala's 37-year-old shuttler Kevin Cordon expecting a similar collapse in the second game on Saturday, July 27. But Cordon, with the side switch aiding him slightly, gave a resilient account of himself, leading the decisive game for most parts.
When the score hit 16-20, with Lakshya trailing by four game points, the 22-year-old needed to stitch together a couple of clinical points to thwart the veteran's comeback bid. And the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist didn't disappoint. Lakshya held the game by the scruff of its neck and went on a run of six consecutive points to secure a much-needed victory in the Paris Olympics opener.
However, it wasn't as straightforward as it initially seemed, and Lakshya explained why during a post-match interaction with the Badminton World Federation (BWF):
"I think in the first set, I was quite comfortable, as it was against the wind so I could control the shuttle really well. And then in the second game, it changed a bit where I was not getting the control from the net. I mean I was checking every shot, I wasn't playing freely. With the lifts as well, somewhere going out, somewhere going short. Then from the back, I was not getting the hit."
"I think I made two or three smash errors just from the mid-court, and I think those were clear points or maybe have a better opportunity on the next shot. Again, giving away easy points in the beginning, so it was hard work in the end."
The Almora-born stressed that even though he was trailing in the second game, he was prepared to claw towards victory:
"I was ready to fight every point and towards the end, I could get the feel of the court and was able to control the shuttle much better."
"It will be an important match" - Lakshya Sen on facing Jonatan Christie in the Paris Olympics group stage
Jonatan Christie, No. 3 badminton men's singles seed from Indonesia, walks into the Olympic Games with plenty of momentum rowing his boat that was sunk prematurely in Tokyo 2020. Earlier in the year, the 26-year-old became Indonesia's first All England men's singles champion in 30 years, after defeating Lakshya Sen in the tournament's semi-final.
A victory in the 2024 Badminton Asia Championship followed by an impressive run in the Thomas Cup was enough to establish Christie as a formidable opponent for Lakshya in Group L.
Asked about his views on facing the Indonesian heavyweight in the group stages, Lakshya Sen opined:
"There are two more matches in the group stage, first I'll be playing Julian [Carraggi] the day after and as of now, I'm focused on that match. I'll try recovering and then coming up with my best performance in the other match, and then we'll start thinking about Christie. It will be an important match."
It's a cautious decision from Lakshya to treat unseeded Julien Carraggi with respect. The Belgian shuttler sneaked a victory in the opening frame against an unsettled Christie, before being bested in the following games. An iota of complacency at the grandest stage could spell trouble for the Indian ace.