Lakshya Sen put up a spirited fight with a bruised right elbow but eventually lost to Malaysia's seventh seeded Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match of the men's singles badminton event at the Paris Olympics. (Highlights | Medal Table | Schedule & Results | Full Coverage)
The 22-year-old seemed to be headed on the path to become the first Indian male shuttler to win an Olympic medal in badminton when he clinched the first game convincingly. The Indian started well in the second game too, only to lose advantage and eventually lose the match too.
After winning the first game, Lakshya was ahead 8-3 in the second game as well, but Zii Jia then started landing his smashes. The Malaysian won nine straight points and carried forward the momentum to lift the second game 21-16.
Lakshya also seemed to have bruised his right arm around the elbow and required medical attention multiple times.
Lakshya hit top gear early in the match and seemed to be in command until Zii Jia's turnaround in the second round. The young Indian could not handle the increased intensity of his Malaysian rival and the same continued in the third game where Lakshya looked totally out of sorts.
Even when Lakshya upped the intent, Zii Jia managed to keep things under control and kept running away with the lead.
The Indian was shattered after his loss.
"I had my chances in the second set and could have definitely done better. But credit to him, he played a really good game. I think at the moment I'm just not able to think right now," a crestfallen Sen said after the match.
With Lakshya's loss, India's badminton campaign at the Paris Olympics also ended.
