Badminton Live Score — All England Open 2021 LIVE Updates: PV Sindhu reaches All England semi-finals, beats Akane Yamaguchi in three games
Okuhara through to semis!
Okuhara has finally prevailed! After a tough, tough encounter the Japanese manages to see off Ongbamrungphan's challenge in a match that went into the decider. Okuhara wins 18-21, 21-8, 21-16. Next up, Axelsen vs Thammasin.
Okuhara vs Ongbamrungphan is turning out to be an end to end affair. Okuhara was leading the decider 11-5 at the breather but now Ongbamrungphan has clawed back and cut the deficit to 1 at 13-14.
Sindhu's 4th All England quarter-final since Rio Olympics
Bear in mind this will be PV Sindhu's 4th quarter-final appearances at the All England Open since the 2016 Rio Olympics, that's 4 out of 5 times. Only Akane Yamaguchi has made it 5 out of 5, while Tai Tzu Ying and Nozomi Okuhara have both made 4 appearances.
Meanwhile, Okuhara is fighting hard to make a comeback against Ongbamrungphan. She conceded the first game 18-21 but is now leading the second 15-7.
Sindhu vs Yamaguchi - Head to head
In head to head clashes, Sindhu leads Akane Yamaguchi 10-7. However, it is interesting to note that since 2018, the Indian hasn't managed to beat Yamaguchi, losing in all three of their last meetings, which were at the Indonesia Open, the Japan Open, and the BWF World Tour Finals in 2019.
Sindhu: Have to be prepared for everything and anything
This is what Sindhu said ahead of the match:
"Looking forward to Yamaguchi (match). Today she didn’t have a match unfortunately, she got a walkover, but I think I have to be prepared because it has been more than one year that I’ve played against her. So, I’m sure she is going to come with new tactics and new strategies. I have to be prepared for everything and anything."
Currently, Nozomi Okuhara is taking on Busanan Ongbamrungphan at the Geoff Rofe Court in what appears to be a pretty tight contest. Okuhara leads 17-16 in the first game, could be anyone's match really. After this match, Victor Axelsen will be up against Sitthikom Thammasin in the men's singles quarters.
PV Sindhu's clash against Yamaguchi will be after Axelsen's match. So folks, have your dinner, tighten your seatbelts and get ready for a ride!
PV Sindhu vs Yamaguchi coming up soon!
Two more matches and then we will have PV Sindhu taking on Akane Yamaguchi for a place in the semi-final of the All England Open. Can the Indian persevere and overcome the Japanese challenge?
Lakshya is India's biggest medal prospect in Paris 2024 Olympics — Vimal Kumar
Lakshya Sen might have crashed out of the All England Open Championships quarterfinals today — but in the process he became the youngest Indian in history to make the quarterfinals. Vimal Kumar, coach of Lakshya Sen, wrote for The Bridge, not very long ago.
This is what he had to say about Lakshya Sen:
"We have so many bright prospects under our tutelage at this moment, I really enjoy working with Lakshya Sen. He's just 19 years old. We have nurtured him since he came to our academy in Bengaluru at age of nine. He's a quick learner and has a good temperament. He has already beaten some of the best players in the world. He has shown promises but then again, he is a bit prone to injuries. The whole of 2020 was a big disappointment. These young players, who are trying to make breakthroughs, need to be in competition continuously. The long hiatus can break someone's confidence. I am sure Lakshya will recover and prove out to be the next big star in Indian badminton."
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