Badminton
Japan Open 2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Lakshya Sen loses a three-setter to Jonatan Christie in semifinal
Catch highlights of the Japan Open Super 750 semifinal between Lakshya Sen and Jonatan Christie.
Lakshya Sen is chasing his second BWF World Tour title in 2023. (Photo credit: BAI)
Lakshya Sen went down fighting to world no. 9 Jonatan Christie in the semifinal of the Japan Open Super 750 at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo, on Saturday.
Christie, the Indonesia Masters winner, won the match 21-15, 13-21, 21-16. He will face the winner of the second semifinal between Viktor Axelsen and Kodai Naraoka in the summit clash.
This was Lakshya's second straight defeat to Christie in 2023. He also lost to him in the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters.
With Lakshya's departure, India's campaign at the Japan Open 2023 ended.
On Friday, HS Prannoy in men's singles and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in doubles lost their respective quarterfinal matches on Friday.
Live Updates
- 29 July 2023 5:50 AM GMT
Game 2: Lakshya fetches two points
Lakshya is back with two points. His flat smash and crosscourt flicks puzzle Christie. Lakshya now has 13-8 lead into the second game.
- 29 July 2023 5:49 AM GMT
Game 2: Point for Christie
Christie bags three points for showing good judgment. It is 7-11 in the Indonesian's favour.
- 29 July 2023 5:47 AM GMT
Game 2: Lakshya leads at interval
Lakshay wins six consecutive points. The last one from a smash. He now leads 11-4 in the second game. Christie is struggling.
- 29 July 2023 5:46 AM GMT
Game 2: Lakshya takes five points lead
Lakshya is now racing away with points. He takes five consecutive points. Great display of defensive game. Lakshya leads 9-4. He is not letting Christie win points easily now. The Indian's defence and attack are equally brilliant.
- 29 July 2023 5:44 AM GMT
Christie giving good fight to Lakshya
Lakshya sends down a spinning smash. It falls just before Christie. He has no chance. Lakshya leads 4-3
Christie is not far behind; he too sends down a crosscourt flick. It lands just at the edge of Lakshya's court. It is 4-4.
- 29 July 2023 5:42 AM GMT
Game 2: Christie levels it
Flat smash from Lakshya. It is 2-1 into the second game. It is 3-1 now for Lakshya. But in the next rally, his shot goes wide, Christie gets a point. It is 2-3 now.
Christie wins two quick points. Lakshya's return hits the net. It is 3-3.
- 29 July 2023 5:38 AM GMT
Christie wins the first game
Christie finds Lakshya on his non-racquet hand and follows it with a net drift that finds Lakshya wanting. He squats, and the shuttle falls on the surface. Christie fights back to take the game 21-15.
- 29 July 2023 5:38 AM GMT
Christie wins game 1
Christie finds Lakshya on his non-racquet hand and follows it with a net drift that finds Lakshya wanting. He squats, and the shuttle falls on the surface. Christie fights back to take the game 21-15.
- 29 July 2023 5:36 AM GMT
Game 1: Better judgement from Christie
Christie is in the rhythm. He has let Lakshya's return go wide and wins a point to extend the lead to 19-13.
Lakshya wins two points after a long interval and makes it 15-19.
- 29 July 2023 5:35 AM GMT
Game 1: Better judgement from Christie
Christie is in the rhythm. He has let Lakshya's return go wide and wins a point to extend the lead to 19-13.
