BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final Highlights: Kidambi Srikanth beats Lakshya Sen to reach historic final

BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final Highlights: BWF World Championships 2021 Highlights: Young Lakshya Sen took the first game but experienced Kidambi Srikanth fought back to clinch the semi-final and enter the finals of the showpiece event. Srikanth beat Lakshya 17-21, 21-14, 21-17 in a thriller that saw both the Indian stars fighting for each point. Srikanth came up with a flurry of smashes to take the second game and continued his attacks in the third game too. In response, Lakshya also put up some brilliant defence and agility to show his character.

Follow all the updates here:

• Dec 19, 2021 12:18 AM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: Impressive record

  Srikanth has continued his winning streak in the badminton showpiece event, having dropped just two games so far in his campaign. He's now just one step away from making history.

• Dec 19, 2021 12:03 AM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: “Go for Gold”

  Just when we thought this year couldn't get better 😍
  
  Congratulations @srikidambi for becoming the first ever Male & 3rd 🇮🇳 shuttler to reach the final at #WorldChampionships 💥
  
  Go for gold! 🤞🥇#BWFWorldChampionships2021#IndiaontheRise#Badminton
  📸 Badminton Photo pic.twitter.com/ZeOo2Gzlen

  — BAI Media (@BAI_Media) December 18, 2021

• Dec 19, 2021 12:00 AM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: A night to remember.

  Earlier, Prakash Padukone (bronze in 1983) and B Sai Praneeth (bronze in 2019) were the medals winners in men's singles category. Srikanth now has an opportunity to strike gold.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:56 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: Srikanth scripts history.

  Kidambi Srikanth is the first Indian male shuttler to reach the finals of the BWF World Championships! The 20-year-old Lakshya put up a remarkable performance but Srikanth held his nerves to etch his name into record books.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:47 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: Srikanth into final!

  Srikanth has entered the final of the World Championships by beating Lakshya 17-21, 21-14, 21-17! What a match, which eventually went in the experienced Indian's favour.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:45 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 19-16

  Srikanth has now taken a three-point lead! Two points away from a place in the final.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:44 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 16-16

  Lakshya fights back in no time, making it 16-16. What a thriller! Both the players are forcing themselves to chase every point.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:43 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 16-15

  A 39-point rally and Srikanth has finally taken the lead. He's tired but not giving up that easily.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:40 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 13-15

  That's brilliant from Lakshya! He saves one off the body before smashing one wide of Srikanth's reach. Two-point cushion for Lakshya now.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:39 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 13-13

  Srikanth grabs three consecutive points. An unforced error from Lakshya and it's 13-13 now. This is getting interesting!

• Dec 18, 2021 11:37 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 10-13

  It's a toe to toe battle in Spain! Srikanth is relentless with his smashes but Lakshya's brilliant defence helps him maintain the lead. 13-10 now in Lakshya's favour.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:33 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 9-11

  Fantastic rally and amazing recovery from Lakshya but Srikanth gets the point to cut the deficit! He's not going to give up that easily.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:31 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 8-11

  An error from Srikanth and Lakshya has taken a three-point lead at the change of ends in the deciding game.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:29 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 7-8

  What a rally! 43 shots! That was the first time when we saw a bit of fatigue kicking in. Lakshya has taken the lead now.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:28 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 7-7

  We have seem some brilliant smashes today! Srikanth comes up with one before Lakshya does the same to make it 7-7. We could perhaps see a thriller tonight.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:26 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 5-4

  Lakshya grabs two consecutive points but Srikanth keeps it cool to take the lead again.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:25 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14, 4-2

  Brilliant from Srikanth. He opened up the court and it fell wide of Lakshya. The experienced one is looking confident in the final game.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:20 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: All eyes on final game

  A place in the world championships final has now come down to this one game between the two Indian stars.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:18 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 21-14

  Second game in favour of the former World No.1! Srikanth was 4-8 down and he's made a remarkable recovery.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:17 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 18-14

  Srikanth is now just two points away from taking the second game levelling the contest.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:15 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 16-14

  The best chance for Lakshya is to finish this off in straight games. But Srikanth isn't going to give up that easily.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:12 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 13-12

  Two errors from Srikanth while trying to put it towards the far side of the court. Lakshya has closed the gap now.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:10 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 12-10

  Six straight points for Srikanth but Lakshya finally gets one under his belt.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:08 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 11-9

  Srikanth finally in the lead. He grabs seven of the last eight points before the mid-game interval.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:06 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 8-9

  A smash from Kidambi wide of Lakshya. He's closed in on the lead to stay alive in the contest. 

• Dec 18, 2021 11:05 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 

  You might be worried if you're a Kidambi Srikanth fan. He's four points behind Lakshya, with the score reading 8-4 in the latter's favour.

• Dec 18, 2021 11:02 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-21, 3-5

  Lakshya has taken a 5-3 lead in the second game. What a performance from the youngster. He looks unperturbed by the pressure.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:57 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: Lakshya takes first game 21-17

  Three-point advantage for Lakshya and he takes the first game 21-17. What a start from the young lad.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:56 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-19

  Srikanth isn't happy after missing that! Lakshya is now in front

• Dec 18, 2021 10:55 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 17-16

  That's wide from Lakshya and Srikanth has finally taken the lead in the closing moments of the first game.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:54 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 16-16

  What a rally! Extremely clever play from Srikanth to come back from behind and make it 16-16.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:53 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 13-16

  Lovely short racquet moment from Lakshya to deceive Srikanth with a smash!

• Dec 18, 2021 10:52 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 12-15

  Srikanth closes in at 10-11 but Lakshya steps up again to take a three point lead.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:50 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 10-13

  Lakshya maintains the lead as Srikanth makes another error. He will be now looking to grab the first game.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:47 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 8-11

  Error-laden play from Srikanth has helped Lakshya extend the lead. He has made it 11-8.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:46 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 7-8

  Lakshya takes the lead for the first time in the match. 

• Dec 18, 2021 10:45 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 6-6

  The 20-year-old Lakshya is putting up a good fight against experienced Srikanth. It's a closely-fought encounter at the moment.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:43 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 4-4

  Two errors from Srikanth and Lakshya equals it again. Good stuff from the youngster.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:42 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 4-2

  Two points in favour of Srikanth, as he takes the lead again.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:40 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score: 2-2

  Srikanth grabs the first two points but it's all level at 2-2 now. Srikanth's shot was wife 

• Dec 18, 2021 10:38 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Score

  Both the players have warmed up and it finally starts! Kidambi to serve.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:34 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: The much-awaited clash is about to start

  Stay tuned as the all-Indian semifinals is about to start! The Indian shuttlers walks towards Court 1. Lakshya has won the toss and chosen far side of the court to start. 

• Dec 18, 2021 10:30 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: Hoki/Kobayashi advance!

  Hoki/Kobayashi have defeated Ong/Teo 21-13, 21-9 in a lop-sided mens doubles contest.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:23 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: Just a few minutes away!

  The Japanese pair of Hoki/Kobayashi has taken the first game against Malaysia's Ong/Teo in the men's doubles SF. The doubles clash will be followed by the Lakshya-Kidambi contest on Court 1.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:13 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates

  Job ? in QFs!! Semis up next tomorrow ?? #BWFWorldChampionships #Huelva2021 pic.twitter.com/VvWgk1hfVy

  — Kidambi Srikanth (@srikidambi) December 17, 2021

• Dec 18, 2021 10:07 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: "I wish Lakshya wins"

  “I wish Lakshya wins,” Srikanth had said after outlcassing Caljouw in the quarters. Lakshya didn't disappoint, setting up a historic all-Indian clash and assuring a second medal for India at the World Championships.

• Dec 18, 2021 10:00 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: Lee/Shin have defeated Kim/Kong to enter women's doubles final

  Meanwhile, Korea's Lee/Shin have defeated Kim/Kong 21-18, 21-17 to enter the final. It's the Korean duo versus China's Chen/Jia in the final.

• Dec 18, 2021 09:48 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: Srikanth's road to SF

  Srikanth has been impressive so far, dropping just one game in the ongoing showpiece event. He first brushed aside Pablo Abian of Spain 21-12, 21-16 before defeating China's Li Shi Feng 15-21, 21-18, 21-17 in a hard-fought contest in the second round. The experienced Indian shuttler then defeated China's Lu Guang Zu 21-10, 21-15 in pre-quarters and then crushed Dutch player Mark Caljouw 21-8, 21-7 in the quarter-final.

• Dec 18, 2021 09:36 PM IST

  BWF World Championships 2021 Semi-Final, Kidambi Srikanth vs Lakshya Sen - Live Updates: Lakshya's road to SF

  Lakshya started his campaign with a 22-20, 15-21, 21-18 win over Japan's Kenta Nishimoto in the second round, after getting a walkover from German shuttler Max Weisskirchen. Lakshya then defeated Kevin Cordon of Guatemala 21-13, 21-8 in the pre-quarters before beating China's Zhao Jun Peng 21-15, 15-21, 22-20 in a thriller.

• Dec 18, 2021 09:28 PM IST

  Sindhu's heartbreak

  Sindhu, who lost to Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan in the women's singles quarterfinals, is the only Indian till date to win the crown at the badminton's showpiece event. 

• Dec 18, 2021 09:23 PM IST

  One game away from glory

  Get ready for this historic all Indian clash 😍?@srikidambi & @lakshya_sen will be up against each other in the semis to become the 1st 🇮🇳 Male shuttler to reach the final at #WorldChampionships 💪
  
  All the best boys 🔥#BWFWorldChampionships2021#Badminton pic.twitter.com/95ZG6pnWTF

  — BAI Media (@BAI_Media) December 18, 2021

• Dec 18, 2021 09:14 PM IST

  An exciting match-up

  Experienced Srikanth up against young Lakshya! This will be the first meeting between the two Indian shuttlers. While Srikanth is ranked 14, Lakshya is 19 on the list.

• Dec 18, 2021 09:11 PM IST

  Akane Yamaguchi in women's singles final

  Akane Yamaguchi also registered a straight-game victory versus Zhang Yi Man in the semis to set up the final against Tai Tzu Ying.

• Dec 18, 2021 09:05 PM IST

  Tai Tzu Ying seals maiden world championships final

  Earlier in the day, Tai Tzu Ying booked her first-ever World Championships final berth, defeating He Bing Jiao 21-17, 13-21, 19-13 in the semi-final. TTY had beat PV Sindhu in the quarters.

• Dec 18, 2021 08:53 PM IST

  Lakshya on the pressure situation

  "I was confident in rallying it out. Both us made some mistakes. At 20-all I slipped but I managed to pull off a winner and I got a bit lucky," the 20-year-old shuttler had said after the edge-of-the-seat contest. Lakshya had also finished runner-up at the Dutch Open earlier this year.

• Dec 18, 2021 08:50 PM IST

  Nerves of steel

  In the tense quarterfinal Zhao Jun Peng, Lakshya came up with counter-attacking badminton to save a match point and then convert his first match point.

• Dec 18, 2021 08:47 PM IST

  Lakshya to go 'all out' against Srikanth

  "Let's see who makes the final. India is assured of a finalist, so that's a good thing. I will go all out," Lakshya Sen had told the BWF after his quarter-final win in Spain. 

• Dec 18, 2021 08:41 PM IST

  Kidambi Srikanth's dominance

  Srikanth outplayed Dutch badminton player Mark Caljouw 21-8, 21-7 to advance to the semi-final of the tournament. This is the Indian shuttler's first semi-final appearance at the world championships. But with experience on his side, he will be looking to reach the final, having dropped just one game in the run-up to this contest.

• Dec 18, 2021 08:35 PM IST

  Lakshya Sen on the rise

  Lakshya made his way into the semis after a hard-fought 21-15, 15-21, 22-20 win over China's Zhao Jun Peng. The youngster saved a match point at 19-21 and won two more points to assure a bronze medal.

• Dec 18, 2021 08:30 PM IST

  India assured of at least two medals

  India to win at least a bronze and a silver medal. The country until now have won only won two men's singles medals -- Prakash Padukone (bronze in 1983) and B Sai Praneeth (bronze in 2019) across world championships history. This is the first time that India will have two medals in the men's singles.