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Lakshya Sen and Chou Tien Chen will be taking on each other in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics. As both shuttlers try to get within arms reach of a medal, the match promises to be a thriller.
Before this impending showdown at the Games, Sen and Chou have battled each other four times, with the latter winning three of those encounters. The first time the duo faced each other was at the 2022 Thomas Cup.
In that instance, the Taiwanese got off to a strong start, claiming the first game 21-19. However, Sen was always on his heels and was able to force a decider 21-13. In the end, Chou walked away with the win when he clinched the third game 21-17.
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Their next clash came a month later at the Indonesia Masters and yielded a similar result. The Indian trailed in the first game, but made a resounding comeback in the second, before conceding the third.
It was at the 2023 All England Championships where Lakshya Sen was able to beat his 34-year-old rival for the first time in his career. Playing at the marquee event, the youngster took revenge for his past losses 21-18, 21-19.
Not one to be bogged down, Chou was quick to turn the tables in their next and most recent meeting. At the 2023 Singapore Open, the duo squared off against each other in the opening round, with the Taiwanese coming from a game down to show Sen the door 18-21, 21-17, 21-13.
Difficult challenges await Lakshya Sen in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics
For Lakshya Sen, the going will not be getting easier as he continues to forge deeper into the draw for the Paris Olympics. If the Indian manages to get past Chou Tien Chen in their quarterfinal clash, he will most likely be met by the Danish wall that is Viktor Axleson.
Axelson comes into the Games as the reigning Olympic champion, and he's been at the top of his game so far on the courts of La Chapelle Arena. If the Indian does collide with Axelson in the semifinals, fans are guaranteed to be treated to some enthralling badminton action.
