Thomas Cup 2022: Historic day for Indian badminton
The Indian men’s team stunned Denmark in a thrilling 2nd Semi-finals of the Thomas Cup 2022 played at the Impact Court Arena 1, Bangkok on Thursday.
Lakshya Sen looked out of color as he lost the first singles
match easily to Victor Axelsen in straight games. It was a dominating performance
by the tall lanky player from Denmark as he put enough pressure on Lakshya not
allowing him to settle. At the mid-game interval, Victor took won the first
game easily by 21-13, 21-13 giving Denmark a 1-0 lead.
Satwiksairaj RankiReddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Kim
Astrup and Mathais Christensen in three grueling games. It was an amazing
performance by both pairs as the match began on an evens keel right from the word
go. At the mid-game interval, Astrup and Mathais took a slender lead. After the break,
the match again shifted from one side to another before the Indian pair grabbed the
first game at 21-18.
The second game also saw both pairs showing their skills
with smashes. At the mid-game interval, the Indian pair took a slender lead. After
the break, Satwik and Chirag kept the momentum going for India but squandered game
points before the Danish pair won the second game at 23-21. The third game was also a
close-fought encounter, but this time Satwik and Chirag held their nerves to
win it by 22-20 to level the tie at 1-1.
Kidambi Srikanth played his heart out as he defeated Anders Antonsen
in a three-game thriller. The match went down the distance with both players
starting on an even keel. At the mid-game interval, Antonsen took a slender lead.
After the break, Srikanth made a strong comeback to take the first game at
21-18.
The second game was a one-sided affair as Antonsen kept the
pressure on Srikanth and won it easily by 21-12 to force the game into a
decider. Srikanth upped his game by not allowing his Danish opponent and won it
easily by 21-15 to give India a 2-1 lead.
Garga and Panjala were no match to Rasmussen and Soggard as
the Indian lost the match in two straight games by 14-21, 13-21. The Danish
pair looked in complete control despite some decent performance by the Indian pair.
HS Prannoy fought injuries and defeated Rasmus Gemke in
three grueling games. Prannoy slipped in the first game receiving medical
assistance. Gemke showed aggressive intent putting enough pressure on the
Indian taking an 11-7 lead. After the break, the Danish player looked decent as
he won the first game easily by 21-13.
The Indian kept guns blazing right from the word in game 2.
It was a dominating performance by Prannoy showed his grit taking a commanding
11-1 lead at the interval. After the break, the Indian maintained momentum winning the second game easily by 21-9.
Prannoy showed his class in the third game putting enough
pressure on Gemke. The Indian looked in complete control taking a commanding
11-4 lead with brilliant smashes and drop shots. After the break, Gemke showed
some resistance before Prannoy won the decider by 21-12 to give India their
first-ever finals in 73 years.
India beat Denmark in the 2nd Semi-finals of the Thomas Cup 2022
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