– Lakshya Sen will face Viktor Axelsen in the men’s singles semifinal, aiming to become India’s first male Olympic medallist in badminton
– Axelsen is the defending Olympic champion and considered the gold standard in men’s singles
– Lakshya has had a tough campaign so far, defeating higher-ranked players in previous rounds
– Indian fans have good omens with past players who beat Chou Tien Chen in quarterfinals going on to make the final
– Lakshya’s only win against Axelsen was in the 2022 German Open, giving him confidence
– Axelsen’s game is based on excellent shot-making and the ability to vary speed and tactics
– Lakshya needs to maintain a mix of defence and attack, similar to his quarterfinal performance, to have a chance against Axelsen
– A win against Axelsen would be a historic achievement for Indian badminton
– The match is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at around 3:30 PM IST