How Lakshya Sen scripted a comeback victory against world number 3 Anders Antonsen – Firstpost
While PV Sindhu lost to world No.1 An Se Young on Thursday, Lakshya Sen is the only Indian left in the prestigious All England Open badminton tournament.
Lakshya Sen scripted a comeback victory against the world no. Number 3 Anders Antonsen will advance to the quarter-finals of the All England Championships on Thursday. India’s Sen was forced to register a stunning 2-8 comeback in the three-game decider to reach the quarter-finals after winning the first game but losing in the second round. Sen ultimately beat three-time World Championship medalist Antonsen 24-22, 11-21, 21-14 in a controversial match.
Sen came into the match with a 1-3 record against Antonsen, who had beaten the Indian in the last three meetings. But the Indian produced a good show and led 17-15 in the first game after some close battles early on. With two winners, Antonsen made it 17-17, but Sen was the first to earn two game points with a precise backhand in the corner.
The Indian wasted five match points while Antonsen remained alive.
Finally, at 22-22, two powerful smashes gave Sen his fifth game point and he sealed it this time when the Dane shot wide.
After the change of ends, Antonsen was on top and led 11-7 at the break. The Dane kept a firm grip on the rallies as Sen made too many errors and the second game quickly passed.
In the deciding match, Antonsen led 2-8 before taking an 11-6 lead at the break.
But soon the momentum shifted as the Indian won seven of the next nine points to tie it at 13-13.
At 14-16, Antonsen was booked for a foul for touching the net, which rattled the Dane. “Foul? Why? Did you hit the net? My racket or my body?” an animated Antonsen could be heard telling the chair umpire.
Sen quickly fired a forehand winner to move to 16-14, which he inflated to 18-14 when a defensive shot went wide of Antonsen.
Another long rally ended long as Lakshya was two points away from a victory. A smash earned him six match points and he converted when the Dane missed.
While PV Sindhu lost to world No.1 An Se Young on Thursday, Lakshya Sen is the only Indian left in the prestigious badminton tournament. He will face Lee Zii Jia in the quarter-finals on Friday.
With PTI inputs
