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 5:34 AM GMT
Game 1: Christie extends lead
Smash from Christie and Lakshya stretches, but in vain. Christie leads 18-13.
- 29 July 2023 5:33 AM GMT
Game 1: Point for Lakshya
After Christie takes the last five points, Lakshya breaks his streak with a point as the Indonesia's return goes wide.
But no respite for Lakshya, Christie wins another point to extend the lead to 17-13.
- 29 July 2023 5:31 AM GMT
Game 1: Christie controls the proceedings
With great defence, fine control at the net and the ability to win points from flat returns, Christie is winning points. He extends the lead to 15-12.
- 29 July 2023 5:29 AM GMT
Close fight in Game 1
Lakshya is letting the slip from his hand. Christie wins four back-to-back points. He now leads the game 14-12.
- 29 July 2023 5:28 AM GMT
Game 1: Christie wins rally
Fighting rally between Lakshya and Christie. Interesting exchange at the net and a few tosses, letting Christie go for a body smash.
Christie draws another for showing agility at the net. Again, he wins a point for targeting Lakshya's face. It is 11-all.
- 29 July 2023 5:25 AM GMT
Game 1: Lakshya leads at interval
Christie equals the game twice in this match. First at 7-7, and then at 9-9. Both players got their a few shots wide.
But Lakshya takes the lead at the interval for showing better judgement. He draws the last point for letting Christie's smash go wide.
- 29 July 2023 5:12 AM GMT
Lakshya and Christie take the court
Lakshya and Christie are in court now. Action to begin shortly.
- 29 July 2023 4:08 AM GMT
Lakshya will be in action soon
Lakshya and Christie will be in action soon in the second semifinal of Japan Open 2023. Stay tuned for more updates.
In the other semifinal, Viktor Axelsen will negotiate the challenge from Japanese sensation Kodai Naraoka, the world no. 4.
- 29 July 2023 4:05 AM GMT
Titles won by Lakshya and Christie in 2023
Lakshya: Canada Open Super 500
Christie: Indonesia Masters Super 500
- 29 July 2023 4:02 AM GMT
Christie so far
Christie beat the following players on his way to the semifinals:
Cheam June Wei 21-7, 21-9
Weng Hong Yang 21-15, 21-14
Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-16, 21-16
