Lakshya Sen reaches Youth Olympics final

Lakshya Sen defeated second seed Kodai Naraoka, assuring India of a seventh medal at the Youth Olympic Games.

In an anxious finish, Lakshya Sen had two match points saved and he saved one too, before eventually winning the decider 24-22. (File Photo)

Lakshya Sen won a thrilling men's semi-final against second seed Kodai Naraoka 14-21, 21-15, 24-22 at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires on Thursday.

After being outplayed in the first game, Sen got into his own in the second. The decider, though, was a nail-biter with the constant shifts in momentums. The Indian blew two big leads before saving a match point to clinch the 75 minute thriller and guarantee a seventh medal for India at the Games.

This will be India's second medal in badminton at the Youth Olympic Games, after HS Prannoy's silver in Singapore in 2010.

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After gaining a massive 11-0 lead in the third game, Sen lost his way, letting the Japanese put together a run of points. The Indian also led 18-8 at a point in the game, but Naraoka found his way back again.

In an anxious finish, Sen had two match points saved and he saved one too, before eventually winning the decider 24-22.

Sen will play China's Shifeng Li in the final on Friday.