Paris Olympics 2024: India's ace shuttler Lakshya Sen is all set to give his 100 percent for the men's singles bronze medal of the ongoing mega-event. Sen, the country's lone shuttler to win the gold medal in the sport, lost the semifinal to Viktor Axelsen. Axelsen defeated him in straight sets 22-20, 14-21 in a match that went for about 54 minutes. He dismissed the possibility of not taking enough chances and chose to play defensively in the high-octane game.
"Yes I will prepare now, and I think there is a match tomorrow, then I will just try to be at my hundred percent again tomorrow and yes there are some things to be learned from this match and whatever is good I will want in the next match I will continue," Lakshya told broadcasters after the match.
Lakshya to contest for bronze
Axelsen was looking out of sorts in both games as he was trailing 9-15 in the first and 7-0 in the second. But the reigning champion proved why he is one of the best players. The Indian shuttler was at his absolute best but Axelsen was too good for him.
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Lakshya admitted that he couldn't continue with his lead and that Axelsen performed brilliantly in the second half of the game.
"Yes, it was it was a big match and the way the first set went, I should have been more alert. Had I closed the first set, there could have been chances of the third set that I could still win. But I think in the second game I started well, but again I think he couldn't take the lead and then he started playing well. Then it was really hard to score against him", he added.
India's star player hopes for similar support
Lakshya also revealed that he should have played more aggressively.
"I think as the game was going on from the start and in the first set especially, he started attacking more towards the end, so I think became passive when I was defending, and I think at that time I should have taken chances and attacked", he revealed.
He also thanked his family for being there for him in Paris and supporting him and said that he expects the fans to show up for the bronze medal match as well.
"They are in the crowd. I think they send food for me daily like lunch and dinner and whenever they can. I meet them in between matches whenever I have time. I think they have been really good in supporting me. My mom, my dad, and my brother are here, and I think everyone in the crowd. I am thankful for that. Yes, I think I get support when so many people come, and I would like to have similar support tomorrow also", he concluded.