BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-final Highlights: Kidambi Srikanth Creates History, Becomes First Ever Indian Male Shuttler to Enter Final as Lakshya Sen Takes Bronze

What a thriller this has been. Kidambi Srikanth sailed through his quarter-final clash yesterday but tonight he’s been pushed to the limits by the young Lakshya Sen who was aiming to become the youngest finalist in the history of the event. Lakshya took one step towards achieving that when he pocketed the opening game 21-17 but then Srikanth kept his cool to bounce back in the next game, winning it 21-14. The decider turned out to be another nail-biter with the 28-year-old Srikanth edging ahead, winning it 21-17. Lakshya will have to remain contend with a bronze but Srikanth will be back on this court tomorrow for the gold medal match.

He’s done it. What an epic comeback this has been from Kidambi Srikanth who staves off a strong challenge from Lakshya Sen to win the decider 21-17 as he seals a memorable win to enter the world championship final. He becomes the first ever Indian male shuttler to enter the final of the event.

Game 3: Another marathon rally and Lakshya Sen with a great deception but it falls wide. Kidambi Srikanth leads 20-17.

Boom! Kidambi Srikanth is going for the kill. A powerful return and he now is just two points away from the final.

Game 3: A deceptive shot from Kidambi Srikanth as he edges ahead, again, in this cat and mouse game. 17-16 to Srikanth right now.

Game 3: Oh dear me! Kidambi Srikanth is pushed to the limits by Lakshya Sen before he produces a clever, risky shot to win his third straight points and takes lead at 16-15.

Game 3: A wide shot leaves Kidambi Srikanth disappointed before Lakshya Sen opens up a two-point cushion with a powerful shot. However, Srikanth crawls back with a cross-court shot. And then makes it 15-all.

Game 3: A rare unforced error from Lakshya Sen as he crashes smash into his own half. Kidambi Srikanth draws level at 13-13.

Game 3: Superb defense from Lakshya Sen as he pushes Kidambi Srikanth back and then attacks to leave his opponent on all fours. Lakshya leads 13-10

Game 3: Two marathon rallies to start with after the break and Kidambi Srikanth comes out on top both the times. He reduces the gap to one point now, trailing 10-11.

Lakshya Sen takes the lead at 11-8 at the mid-game interval of the third and final game vs Kidambi Srikanth.

A 43-shot rally! And Kidambi Srikanth concedes the point to Lakshya Sen with a tired-looking shot which falls wide. Lakshya leads 8-7.

Game 3: Kidambi Srikanth keeps on attacking and gets the result. He leads 7-6 before Lakshya Sen bounces back with the body shot to make it 7-7.

A couple of errors hand Lakshya Sen the lead at 5-4 but Lakshya Sen plays a perfect smash to draw level.

Nicely set up by Kidambi Srikanth who first pushes Lakshya Sen to his left before an angular shot to the right of his opponent gets him the point.

Game 3: A long, fierce rally follows as Kidambi Srikanth stretches Lakshya Sen who looks tired and seems to have lost his pace now. He takes his time before recovering. Srikanth leads 3-1.

Game 3: A delightful start from Kidambi Srikanth with a slow drop shot to take a 1-0 lead. He tried to be clever again but this time the result wasn’t favourable with Lakshya Sen making it 1-1.

A superb cross court smash seals the deal for Kidambi Srikanth who has pushed the semi-final into the decider. He wins the second game 21-14 to make it 1-1. A remarkable comeback from Srikanth considering he was trailing 4-8 vs Lakshya Sen at one stage.

Kidambi Srikanth has got his mojo back. Lakshya Sen is committing errors. Srikanth one point away from winning the game now.

A fierce rally. Blink and miss stuff. Kidambi Srikanth with a smash wins it and leads 17-14 in Game 2.