BWF World Badminton Championship 2021: Becoming the first Indian to enter the men’s singles final of the BWF World Badminton Championship 2021, Kidambi Srikanth defeats Lakshya Sen in three sets prevails in all-Indian semifinals, 17-21, 21-14, 21-17.
A tough battle for the 28-year-old as his younger compatriot gave him a hard time on the court. The first set when went for a break, it was Lakshya Sen who was in lead 11-8.
He will gather and maintain that lead at 15-11. However, the former World No. 1 equalized with attacking plays at 16-16. It was at 17-17 that Srikanth missed an easy point and thereafter Lakshya didn’t stop at all.
The confidence and momentum of winning the first set were strong and that made Lakshya start the second set on a high note leading 8-4.
The experience of Srikanth kept him in the game and at that point, Kidambi was dominating his fellow countryman with ease. Going into the break, winning seven of the last eight points, with an 11-9 lead.
The second set was claimed by Srikanth and the game went to the decider. A beautiful jump smash crosscourt to clinch the set from the former World No. 1.
This was the set of long rallies as if they are waiting for mistakes to happen. Lakshya was strong at the mid-game. And for Srikanth to win his fourth point 50 shot rally was needed.
Srikanth Kidambi fought back his way twice in the match and in the end, the pressure forced Lakshya to make mistakes ending the match.
In the finale, the Indian shuttler will face Loh Kean Yew from Singapore, who defeated Denmark’s Anders Antonsen 23-21, 21-14 in the other semifinals.
Watch the all-Indian semifinal highlights of the BWF World Badminton Championship.
