India's Lakshya Sen won a straight-game victory over HS Prannoy to become the third male player from India to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympics badminton competition on Thursday.
The 22-year-old from Almora in Uttar Pradesh, a Commonwealth Games champion and a 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, secured a 21-12 21-6 win over world No. 13 Prannoy in a 39-minute pre-quarter-final match.
Sen follows Parupalli Kashyap and Kidambi Srikanth, who reached the quarter-finals in the London and Rio Olympics in 2012 and 2016, respectively.
Currently ranked 22, Sen will face 12th seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals.
"I think having tough matches gives you confidence. I am now ready to go deep into the tournament. It will be a tricky match against Chou, I have to go and recover well and give my 100 per cent," Sen said after the match.
Sen maintained steady defence and mixed his attack well. Prannoy, who played a three-game match the previous evening, looked tired and offered little resistance in the 39-minute contest.
This match marked the end of Prannoy's campaign, who had recovered from a bout of Chikungunya to compete in his first Olympics.
Sen started strong, leading 7-4, and maintained control as Prannoy struggled. Sen comfortably closed out the opening game.
In the second game, Sen quickly wrapped up the contest after leading throughout.
(With inputs from PTI)
English scrumhalf Kyran Bracken splashes beer on number 8 Lawrence Dallaglio as he holds the the William Webb Ellis Cup after the Rugby World Cup final between Australia and England at the Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney, 22 November 2003. England defeated Australia 20-17 during extra time. AFP PHOTO/Christophe SIMON CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP
