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The Indian badminton duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty etched their names in history by becoming the first Indian doubles pair to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games in Paris. Their remarkable achievement unfolded on Monday, solidifying their presence among the elite of the sport.
The path to the quarterfinals was paved with a stroke of fortune when their match against Germany's Marvin Seidel and Mark Lamsfuss was canceled due to Lamsfuss' injury. This unexpected turn of events propelled the Indian pair into the next round, leaving them with a game in hand. Their victory was further confirmed after the French pair of Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labrar suffered a loss to Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Rian Muhammad Ardianto. As the reigning World No.3 doubles team, Satwik and Chirag had earlier conquered the French pair, establishing themselves as the top contenders in Group C.
The spotlight also fell on Lakshya Sen, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, who faced an unusual challenge in his Paris Olympic campaign. His initial victory over Kevin Cordon of Guatemala was ultimately deleted after Cordon's withdrawal due to a left elbow injury. This setback forced Sen to restart his journey, ultimately leading him to a triumph over Belgium's Julien Carraggi. Sen's victory was a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination in the face of adversity. In his next match, Sen will face the formidable Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, the reigning Asian champion and world number three, in a do-or-die encounter. Only one player from each group of 16 will advance to the next stage of the competition.
Sen's victory over Carraggi, a tight match concluding with scores of 21-19, 21-14, highlighted his ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances. He acknowledged the challenge of finding his rhythm in the first game, but he managed to regain control and secure the win. His focus on retrieving shots and capitalizing on opportunities ultimately led him to victory. The second game saw Sen in full command, highlighting his ability to rise to the occasion under pressure. Sen's encounter with Jonatan Christie promises to be an exciting clash, with both players vying for a place in the round of 16. The outcome of this match will be a crucial determinant of their Olympic journey.