The heavy Indian contingent in the spectators gallery at Paris’ Arena Porte De La Chapelle was in a state of excitement as it sensed an upset in the court below. Indeed, Olympic men’s singles badminton champion Viktor Axelsen looked to be in real trouble against India’s Lakshya Sen.
Axelsen tried to block out the noise. Down three game points in the opening set of his semifinal match, Axelsen leaned forward in his stance and tried to keep his mind blank.
On the other side of the net, Lakshya’s mind was in overdrive. What should have been obvious now seemed anything but. Should he play a short serve or hit the shuttle high? Axelsen knew the Indian’s mind was all over the place.
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Lakshya would freeze with all that information overload and wouldn’t place the shuttle high or dribble it over the net. Instead, the shuttle is pushed into the top of the cord and bobbled over for a foul serve. One game point saved. Two more unforced errors would follow. Axelsen earned a game point of his own and converted it right away.
Lakshya’s shoulders slumped as he walked back to pick up his bag and change sides. The Indian never really recovered although he got off to a strong start in the next game. Axelsen pulled things back and took the game easily in the end, winning 22-20, 21-14.
As the Indian walked off the court in stunned silence, he would be playing over what had happened. Lakshya, too, had his fair share of chances – leading 15-9 in the opening game then having three game points saved in the opening set before storming off once again to a 7-0 lead in the second.
Each time though, Axelsen came back, counting on the Indian to make a mistake at a critical time.
“Lakshya was better than me for many parts of the game. He could have won the match on the court but I won the match up here. He should have won but he tensed up because of his nerves.” Axelsen said tapping the side of his head for emphasis.
“I’ve gone through what Lakshya had before. But he’s going to be a real contender for the 2028 Olympics. I think the difference in experience made a difference today.”
Lakshya will have to pick himself up and prepare for August 5 bronze medal match against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia.
The Indian is aware about what he has to do. “I have to forget what has happened. I have another match to prepare for,” Lakshya said.
Published - August 04, 2024 04:53 pm IST
