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.
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Live Updates
- 12 March 2022 4:14 PM GMT
But Axelsen looks fired up suddenly, he is attacking!
Incredibly tense moments now as Lakshya Sen is being made to feel the pressure here!
- 12 March 2022 4:11 PM GMT
A pile of errors from Axelsen's side and Lakshya is all the merrier for it!
Looking good, Lakshya as he defends his shots very well in Game 2.
- 12 March 2022 4:09 PM GMT
Lakshya with the powerful crosscourt smashes now!
Lakshya is showing some great skills with the racquet and his shot placements are praiseworthy.
He has answers for all of Axelsen's attacks and leads 3-5 in this second game.
- 12 March 2022 4:04 PM GMT
Axelsen's crosscourt falls out, Lakshya pockets GAME 1!
And Lakshya Sen, for the first time in his career, gets a set off the World No. 1 Axelsen and is off to rock-solid start in this semi-final clash.
Lakshya takes the first game in 19 minutes with 21-13 on the scoreboard. What a show!
- 12 March 2022 4:02 PM GMT
Lakshya is commanding the net once more!
Lakshya holds serve so naturally and comfortably and leads with a massive 19-12 on the board.
He is being impeccable and strategic with his netplay, casually flicking away the shots and flabbergasting Axelsen just a teeny tiny bit!
Come on, Lakshya!
- 12 March 2022 3:56 PM GMT
WHAT A MAD RALLY JUST AS WE COME BACK!!!
And right after the mid-game break, things are heating up as the two of them just exchanged a 54-shot rally!
Sen comes out on top!!! Crazy stuff here.
- 12 March 2022 3:55 PM GMT
Coach Park is here to hand out the essential tips to Lakshya who leads 11-7 in the mid-game interval!
Lakshya looks fairly confident here but he cannot give ANY room to Axelsen here. Coach Park Tae-sang, Sindhu's coach in originality, is handing out some much-needed advice now!
