Badminton

Lakshya Sen Vs Jonatan Christie Highlights, Paris Olympics: Indian Pulls Off Spectacular Win; Storms Into Round Of 16

Lakshya Sen produced a superlative performance against the world number four and third seed Jonatan Christie to storm into the Paris Olympics round of 16. Catch the highlights of the Sen vs Christie, men's singles match right here

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Lakshya Sen in action during his group L match against Jonatan Christie at Paris Olympic Games 2024 on Wednesday (July 31). Photo: AP
Welcome to the highlights of our coverage of star India badminton player Lakshya Sen's third and final group match at Paris Olympic Games 2024, against Indonesia's Jonatan Christie on Wednesday (July 31). Sen produced a phenomenal performance against the world number four and third seed Christie to storm into the round of 16. With a straight-games win, the Indian has set up a possible pre-quarter-final clash against compatriot HS Prannoy (if he wins his group K match against Vietnam's Le Duc Phat). Catch the play-by-play updates of the Sen vs Christie, men's singles match right here.
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When Does Lakshya Sen's Match Start?

The pivotal Group L encounter between Lakshya Sen and Jonatan Christie will start on or after 1:40pm IST, depending on when the previous match on court ends. His compatriot PV Sindhu will soon be in action for her Group M match. In our blog here, you can check out live updates from that match.

PV Sindhu's Match Begins

Before Sen's match starts, Court 1 is witnessing a clash between PV Sindhu and Kristin Kuuba. Sindhu has raced away to an 8-0 lead in the first game.

PV Sindhu On Brink Of Win

Sindhu is coasting through her final Group M match. She took the first game 21-5 and leads 13-6 in the second. A win here assures her of a round of 16 spot.

Sindhu Wins; Sen On Court Next

PV Sindhu makes light work of her Group M match against Estonia's Kristin Kuuba. The Indian wins 21-5, 21-10 to sail into the pre-quarter-finals of the women's singles competition. She will next face China's He Bingjiao in the knock-out match.

Lakshya Sen, Jonatan Christie On Court 

And soon after Sindhu's match gets over, Sen and Christie are out on Court 1 for their blockbuster clash. All set for the match to begin.

Game 1: Lakshya Sen 0-4 Jonatan Christie

The Indonesian starts the high-stakes match in right earnest. Wins a keenly contested rally off the second point and opens up a four-point lead. Sen up against it.

The head-to-head record is stacked in Christie's favour too. Sen has lost the previous four face-offs in three games and trails 1-4 in the match-up.

Game 1: Lakshya Sen 3-8 Jonatan Christie

Sen finishes off the longest rally of the match so far with a smartly-placed kill shot. He has his back against the wall, but Lakshya won't go down without a fight.

Game 1: Lakshya Sen 7-8 Jonatan Christie

The Indian now trying to claw his way back. He is now playing flat rallies, keeping the shuttles low. Brings the deficit down to one point.

Game 1: Lakshya Sen 9-9 Jonatan Christie

Lakshya takes the lead for the first time in the match, winning seven straight points to script a remarkable comeback. Christie wins the next point to bring the first game back on level terms.

Game 1: Lakshya Sen 11-10 Jonatan Christie

Sen goes into the mid-game interval in the lead, courtesy a thunderous cross-court smash. Absolutely riveting encounter so far, and the Indian is slowly coming into his own. Let's see how the Indonesian responds.

Game 1: Lakshya Sen 14-13 Jonatan Christie

The Indian resumes well post interval, drawing some uncharacteristic errors from Christie. And the Indonesian counters with a smart finish to a long rally. This one looks like going right down to the wire.

Game 1: Lakshya Sen 15-14 Jonatan Christie

A series of deep-court tosses results in the 22-year-old Indian winning the point and wresting back the lead, though by just one point.

Game 1: Lakshya Sen 15-16 Jonatan Christie

Another long-drawn rally, and this time Christie wins it with a superb smash into Sen's backhand. The Indian dives full stretch but is unable to send the shuttle back over the net. Exhilarating stuff.

Game 1: Lakshya Sen 17-18 Jonatan Christie

The Indonesian now back in ascendancy in Game 1, but Sen executes a down-the-line kill to perfection to stay in the hunt.

Game 1: Lakshya Sen 21-18 Jonatan Christie

Sen wins a sensational point to set up two game points, and converts the first one to surge ahead in the match. He wins the first game with a 21-18 margin.

Game 2: Lakshya Sen 6-3 Jonatan Christie

And the Indian has surged to a three-point lead in the second game too. Sen seems to have raised his game admirably after being down 2-8 in the opener. He is now in with a strong chance to pip the world number 4 for a place in the round of 16.

Game 2: Lakshya Sen 9-5 Jonatan Christie

Some fabulous retrieving from Lakshya, but the Indonesian is unrelenting and finishes off the point with a well-directed smash. Sen still with a four-point lead.

Game 2: Lakshya Sen 11-6 Jonatan Christie

The man from Almora heads into the mid-game interval of Game 2 in the ascendancy, and is now well and truly ahead in the match.

Game 2: Lakshya Sen 12-8 Jonatan Christie

Christie sends one back over Lakshya's head to win a tight point. The Indonesian will not go down without an almighty fight. Sen still with the lead in the game as well as match.

Game 2: Lakshya Sen 14-9 Jonatan Christie

A net cord goes in Sen's favour as he opens up a five-point lead again with Game 2 at a crucial stage. The Indian is arguably playing the best badminton he has in the last six months.

Game 2: Lakshya Sen 17-9 Jonatan Christie

Four points away from a brilliant win, is Lakshya. Can he do it?

Game 2: Lakshya Sen 18-10 Jonatan Christie

An unforced error from Christie, and the lead stretches to eight points in Game 2. The match is Sen's for the taking now.

Game 2: Lakshya Sen 20-12 Jonatan Christie

Eight match points for the Indian!

Game 2: Lakshya Sen 21-12 Jonatan Christie

He has done it! Lakshya pulls off a 'Sen-sational' win to vanquish the reigning All England and Asian champion and storm into the round of 16. A victory that he will remember for a very long time.

HS Prannoy In Action Later Tonight

Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist HS Prannoy will no doubt take inspiration from compatriot Lakshya Sen's incredible win. Prannoy will take the court around 11pm IST today (depending on when previous matches end). He will face Vietnam's Le Duc Phat in Group K, with an eye on sealing his round of 16 berth. Guess who will Prannoy face if he does go through? It's his teammate Sen.

Indian Badminton At Paris Olympics: Recap Of Day So Far

PV Sindhu began the day on a rousing note for Indian badminton, as she registered a thumping 21-5, 21-10 win over Estonia's Kristin Kuuba. She entered the women's singles round of 16, and so did Lakshya Sen on the men's side, defeating the higher-ranked and fancied Jonatan Christie from Indonesia 21-18, 21-12 to progress. HS Prannoy's group K match against Vietnam's Le Duc Phat will follow at around 11pm, and the Asian Games medallist would want to make it a perfect day for India in the shuttlers' arena.

That's All From Us

Our coverage of Sen's sensational match ends here, but live updates continue from other Olympic events with Indian interest. Stay with us.