Arctic Open 2024: Lakshya Sen exits in Round of 16, Kiran George falls to Christie as Indian challenge ends

After taking the first game 21-19, Lakshya conceded the following two games 18-21 and 15-21 to Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-chen.

FILE PHOTO: Lakshya Sen tried hard but lost his bronze medal match against Jia Lee of Malaysia in men’s singles in La Chapelle arena in Paris Olympic 2024 in Paris on Monday, 05 August 2024. Photo: RITU RAJ KONWAR / The Hindu | Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR/The Hindu

Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen exited the Arctic Open 2024 after suffering a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei player Chou Tien-chen in the Round of 16 match at the Vantaa, Finland on Thursday.

After taking the first game 21-19, Lakshya conceded the following two games 18-21 and 15-21. The Indian had advanced to the second round of the tournament after Dane Rasmus Gemke gave a walkover.

Compatriot Kiran George fell to WR5 Jonatan Christie 17-21, 8-21, a day after beating WR 25 Wang Tzu-wei of Chinese Taipei 23-21, 21-18 in 53 minutes to enter the second round.

In the women’s singles, all three shuttlers from India - Malvika Bansod, Unnati Hooda, and Aakarshi Kashyap - bowed out from the tournament in the second round.

Bansod 15-21, 8-21 to Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon, Unnati was beaten 10-21, 19-21 by Canada’s Michelle Li, while Aakarshi conceded 9-21, 8-21 to China’s Han Yue.

In mixed doubles, Sathish Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath lost 12-21, 15-21 to China’s Cheng Xing and Zhang Chi.

Women’s doubles pair Rutaparna and Swetaparna Panda lost 8-21, 10-21 to China’s Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning to bring the curtains down on the Indian challenge at the Arctic Open.