Badminton
German Open 2022, Semifinals HIGHLIGHTS: Lakshya Sen defeats World No.1 Viktor Axelsen in dramatic fashion — Scores, Updates, Results
Lakshya Sen and Viktor Axelsen contested a battle of nerves in the semis of the German Open 2022 where the Indian badminton star made a superb comeback to win.
Lakshya Sen will clash against Viktor Axelsen in the finals of the All England Open 2022
Welcome to the live blog of The Bridge from the semi-finals of the German Open 2022!
Lakshya Sen made a confident start to the match and pocketed the first game in just 19 minutes, winning it 21-13. Soon, World No. 1 and reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen notched things up in the second set and stole the lead to win the second set, 21-12.
However, the fireworks started to fly from the decider as both Sen and Axelsen really pushed each other before Lakshya made a stunning comeback in the fag end of the last game to win against Axelsen, 21-13, 12-21, 22-20.
By doing this, not only is Lakshya into the finals but has also recorded his biggest career victory to date by upsetting the World No. 1 player, for the first time.
Into the finals now and winning this match ridiculously but impressively, Lakshya will face off against Thai sensation Kunlavut Vitditsarn for the title.
Follow all badminton updates live:
Live Updates
- 12 March 2022 4:45 PM GMT
The errors come from the Sen racquet now and he shows signs of frustration..
Axelsen seems very comforable now and has a glaring lead in this decider.
Sen makes net errors while the Dane leads 16-10.
- 12 March 2022 4:42 PM GMT
Huge spot of worry for Lakshya Sen now...
Axelsen is unleashing some fiery smashes straight-up and leads 13-8.
The gap is expanding, Lakshya needs to act NOW.
- 12 March 2022 4:40 PM GMT
Things are so close in this match that the heart cannot!
Lakshya Sen is impressive, make no doubt but Axelsen is simply being Axelsen with his attack.
The Dane has a three-point cushion lead at 11-8.
Change of sides, come on Sen, come back!!!
- 12 March 2022 4:35 PM GMT
Lakshya's defense is a thing of beauty as well!
The level of badminton in this decider is on a whole new level as both are doing entertaining rallies now!
Lakshya moves so fast and is quick on his feet but Axelsen finds the gaps on time!
Crazy match this is, very fitting of a semi-final!
- 12 March 2022 4:32 PM GMT
Axelsen shows his experience now and gets the better of Sen in the rallies!
The rallies are getting lengthy now as both players are pushing each other to the extremes as the Dane takes a 5-4 lead with a cross-court beauty!
- 12 March 2022 4:28 PM GMT
WE DRAW LEVEL AT 2-2 in the decider!
Sen comes forward to the net and attacks and mixes up his pace!
- 12 March 2022 4:24 PM GMT
A feeble return from Sen out of the court, we have Axelsen taking GAME 2!
Huge spot of worry now for Lakshya Sen as Axelsen looks to have settled in well and gets Game 2...
Pray, folks, pray for Lakshya to hit back now in the decider!
- 12 March 2022 4:20 PM GMT
Nervous but deep, deeeep breaths, Lakshya back on serve
Big shift in momentum here...from Axelsen.
Lakshya needs to defend strongly.
- 12 March 2022 4:17 PM GMT
The heart is in the mouth, folks, the heart is in the mouth!
A major shift in game style from Axelsen here as suddenly Lakshya is being made to work really hard.
Impressive from both players no matter that! Axelsen takes the mid-game lead at 11-9!
COME ON LAKSHYA!
