Viktor Axelsen Rubs Salt On Lakshya Sen's Wound, Makes Big Prediction For 2028 LA Olympics

Lakshya Sen's dream of winning an Olympic Gold for India came crashing down at Paris as defending champion Denmark's Viktor Axelsen beat him in straight sets in the semi-finals of Badminton men's singles. 

Lakshya Sen will now face Malaysia Lee Zii Jia for the Bronze medal match at Paris Olympics. Lakshya Sen faced a stinging defeat as he had chances to pull away but failed to capitalise as Viktor Axelsen beat him. As Axelsen stormed into the finals he did manage to rub salts in the wounds of Lakshya Sen post game. 

Viktor Axelsen's post match comments on Lakshya Sen 

Axelsen was full of praise for Lakshya Sen after beating him in the semi-finals as he said that the ace Indian shuttler will be in contention to win the Gold medal for his country in Los Angeles 2028. 

"Lakshya is an amazing player. He has shown in this Olympics that he is a very, very strong competitor and I am sure in four years from now, he will be one of the favourites to win the gold," Axelsen told 'Jio Cinema' after the win. 

Axelsen further confirmed that he faced a lot of difficulty in the game and Lakshya was better on many occasions in both the games. 

"An amazing talent and a great guy and I wish him all the best. He was playing so well in the big parts of both games, but I managed to relax and play the right game and win the match. But all credit to him as well," he added.

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Axelsen knows a thing or two about handling pressure and said his experience helped him to stave off the stiff challenge from Sen, who seemed nervous despite looking the better player for a major part of their semifinal clash.

The 22-year-old from Almora squandered a three-point advantage in the first game and a 7-0 lead in the second in the 54-minute clash. Axelsen marked that Lakshya could not handle the nerves that well today. 

“He was maybe, starting to think, 'oh, if I grab this set then I have the momentum, I have a big chance'. But again, it's so natural to think like that. I've been there myself and I think he got a little bit nervous,” said Axelsen. 

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The Danish defending champion further talked about his mentality in the game that trounced Sen. 

"I think the experience made a difference today. I think Lakshya, he played better than I did in big parts of the game. So he could have won the match. If you start to think, then you have problems. And I think Lakshya, he thought a lot about it. It was a big thing for him obviously, I know what the rings does to you mentally. And when you get nervous, I know that I have to strike and I have to keep the shot on the court and play the right shots because then he will maybe make a mistake because of nerves." said Axelsen.  

The Super Dane is now one win away from joining Chinese legend Lin Dan as a two-time Olympic gold medallist. He will face Thailand's reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the finals. 

(With PTI Inputs)