Lakshya Sen's eight-point comeback powers India into Asian Games badminton semis
When India needed him most, Lakshya Sen rediscovered his fighting spirit.
Battling injuries and a prolonged slump in form, the Almora shuttler produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of his career, clawing back from 13-19 down in the deciding game against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka to win eight points in a row and seal a stunning victory in the men’s team quarterfinal.
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That win powered India into the semi-finals as the men swept the host nation 3-0 to assure a second consecutive team medal. The result followed the Indian women’s exit from the competition as they lost 1-3 to the hosts.
India had gone into the tie with real concern over the recent form of its top-ranked singles player coming into the Games. Facing a formidable Japanese lineup, the team needed Lakshya to deliver, with the doubles pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and the young Ayush Shetty, expected to take care of their respective ties.
Lakshya, however, had to dig deep before producing his moment of magic.
Trailing 13-19 in the decider, he reeled off eight consecutive points to stun Naraoka 11-21, 21-5, 21-19.
Satwik and Chirag made it 2-0 for India with a hard-fought win over former world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi. Ayush then moved India to the brink of victory with a straight-games win over Koki Watanabe, 21-10, 21-19.
But the story of the day belonged to Lakshya.
He looked out of sorts in the opening game, moving poorly around the court and lacking his usual aggression. A pep talk from chief coach Pullela Gopichand appeared to change the complexion of the contest.
Lakshya returned for the second game with renewed energy and immediately took control, racing to a 7-1 lead and never allowing Naraoka to recover as he wrapped up the game 21-5.
The momentum shifted again in the decider. Naraoka steadily built an advantage and was sitting comfortably at 19-13, just two points from victory. With India’s hopes resting on him, Lakshya produced the best stretch of the match.
At 14-19, he took the risk of playing a cross-court smash to Naraoka’s forehand and followed it with another winner into the backhand corner. The Japanese shuttler then hit into the net before misjudging a line call, allowing Lakshya to draw level at 19-19.
At 19-all, Lakshya produced another moment of brilliance, diving full length to retrieve a drop shot and push the shuttle towards the backline to earn match point at 20-19. Naraoka then erred at the net.
“It was a memorable victory. Great to see the singles players and Satwik-Chirag win another medal for India. With two Asian Games medals, two Thomas Cup medals and two Badminton Asia medals, it has been a dream period for us. I am confident our team will go the distance,” chief coach Pullela Gopichand told TOI.
India will face China in the semi-finals after the latter defeated South Korea 3-2. Indonesia will take on Thailand.
The Indian women’s team saw its campaign end against Japan.
World Championships bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured India’s lone point with a 21-17, 21-16 win over Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto.
PV Sindhu lost the opening singles to Akane Yamaguchi 23-21, 18-21, 11-21, while Unnati Hooda went down to Tomoka Miyazaki 16-21, 18-21, leaving Japan 2-0 ahead.
Tanvi Sharma then lost the crucial fourth tie to Nozomi Okuhara 12-21, 10-21.
The women’s semi-finals will see South Korea face Japan and China play Indonesia.
Battling injuries and a prolonged slump in form, the Almora shuttler produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of his career, clawing back from 13-19 down in the deciding game against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka to win eight points in a row and seal a stunning victory in the men’s team quarterfinal.
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Asian Games Full Coverage | Schedule | Medal Tally
That win powered India into the semi-finals as the men swept the host nation 3-0 to assure a second consecutive team medal. The result followed the Indian women’s exit from the competition as they lost 1-3 to the hosts.
India had gone into the tie with real concern over the recent form of its top-ranked singles player coming into the Games. Facing a formidable Japanese lineup, the team needed Lakshya to deliver, with the doubles pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and the young Ayush Shetty, expected to take care of their respective ties.
Lakshya, however, had to dig deep before producing his moment of magic.
Trailing 13-19 in the decider, he reeled off eight consecutive points to stun Naraoka 11-21, 21-5, 21-19.
Satwik and Chirag made it 2-0 for India with a hard-fought win over former world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi. Ayush then moved India to the brink of victory with a straight-games win over Koki Watanabe, 21-10, 21-19.
But the story of the day belonged to Lakshya.
He looked out of sorts in the opening game, moving poorly around the court and lacking his usual aggression. A pep talk from chief coach Pullela Gopichand appeared to change the complexion of the contest.
Lakshya returned for the second game with renewed energy and immediately took control, racing to a 7-1 lead and never allowing Naraoka to recover as he wrapped up the game 21-5.
The momentum shifted again in the decider. Naraoka steadily built an advantage and was sitting comfortably at 19-13, just two points from victory. With India’s hopes resting on him, Lakshya produced the best stretch of the match.
At 14-19, he took the risk of playing a cross-court smash to Naraoka’s forehand and followed it with another winner into the backhand corner. The Japanese shuttler then hit into the net before misjudging a line call, allowing Lakshya to draw level at 19-19.
At 19-all, Lakshya produced another moment of brilliance, diving full length to retrieve a drop shot and push the shuttle towards the backline to earn match point at 20-19. Naraoka then erred at the net.
“It was a memorable victory. Great to see the singles players and Satwik-Chirag win another medal for India. With two Asian Games medals, two Thomas Cup medals and two Badminton Asia medals, it has been a dream period for us. I am confident our team will go the distance,” chief coach Pullela Gopichand told TOI.
India will face China in the semi-finals after the latter defeated South Korea 3-2. Indonesia will take on Thailand.
The Indian women’s team saw its campaign end against Japan.
World Championships bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured India’s lone point with a 21-17, 21-16 win over Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto.
PV Sindhu lost the opening singles to Akane Yamaguchi 23-21, 18-21, 11-21, while Unnati Hooda went down to Tomoka Miyazaki 16-21, 18-21, leaving Japan 2-0 ahead.
Tanvi Sharma then lost the crucial fourth tie to Nozomi Okuhara 12-21, 10-21.
The women’s semi-finals will see South Korea face Japan and China play Indonesia.
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