Highlights:
- Lakshya Sen and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured victories at the La Chapelle Arena.
- Lakshya Sen triumphed over Guatemala’s Kevin Cordon with a score of 21-8, 22-20.
- Satwik-Chirag defeated the French duo Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar 21-17, 21-14.
Paris 2024 Olympics: Indian Shuttlers Shine with Early Victories
Indian shuttlers made a bright start at the Paris 2024 Olympics with impressive victories from Lakshya Sen in the men’s singles and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty at the La Chapelle Arena on Saturday.
World Championships bronze medallist and Commonwealth Games gold winner Lakshya Sen showcased his dominance in his opening Group L match, defeating Guatemala’s 37-year-old Kevin Cordon 21-8, 22-20.
The contest, which lasted 42 minutes, featured two contrasting games. In the first game, Lakshya, the World No. 11, displayed superior control, winning 14 points from his service and establishing a commanding 13-point lead. He wrapped up the game in just 14 minutes.
However, the second game saw a fierce challenge from Cordon. The two players engaged in long rallies, including 31 and 28-shot exchanges. Errors from Lakshya allowed Cordon to reach game point at 20-16. Despite the pressure, Lakshya, guided by legendary coaches Prakash Padukone and Vimal Kumar, maintained his composure. He saved four match points and clinched the match with a decisive smash, thwarting the Pan-American champion’s comeback bid.
In the doubles event, the World No. 3 pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated the French duo Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar with a scoreline of 21-17, 21-14 in a Group C match that lasted 46 minutes. After comfortably claiming the first game, the Indian pair, who are also World Championship bronze medallists, overcame some errors to build a six-point lead in the second game, securing their victory.
Looking ahead, Lakshya Sen will face Belgium’s Julie Carraggi in his next match, while Satwik-Chirag will take on Germany’s Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel.
The promising start by the Indian shuttlers sets a positive tone for the upcoming matches in the Paris 2024 Olympics, as they aim for further success on the grand stage.
