Thread by @gobadminton

#BWFWorldChampionships

@lakshya_sen v @srikidambi - all set to get underway. The SF of the World Championships, their first ever encounter on the world stage.

Big. Big Match. For both players!

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

Will it be the exuberance of @lakshya_sen or the experience of @srikidambi?

We'll find out real soon! Both players looking to advance into the Finals of the World Championships for the first time

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

@srikidambi gets us underway! And takes the opening game when @lakshya_sen drills one into the net.

2-0

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

@srikidambi v @lakshya_sen

Both players sussing out each other! The experience of Srikanth holding a slender advantage

4-2

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Srikanth goes wide and Sen draws level.

4-4

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Excellent rally that goes to Lakshya. Who continues to stay on level terms with his more experienced compatriot.

6-6

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Into the lead for the first time in the contest is Lakshya.

7-8

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

But Srikanth pings an excellent crosscourt smash to draw level once again.

8-8

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Just goes wide does Srikanth. And Lakshya opens up a slender 3-point advantage in the opening game.

8-11

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Two points on the bounce. And then twice does he go wide. Srikanth needs to keep the errors in check.

10-13

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Lakshya Sen is slowly beginning to gain in confidence and find his feet in the game. But Srikanth isnt letting it go so easily.

Gripping.

12-15

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

An excellent smash from the youngster before Srikanth returns the favour with a great winner.

14-16

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

A brilliant rally ends with Lakshya putting one into the net. We're all-square here in the opening game.

16-16

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Can Lakshya close the game and draw first blood in this massive contest?

Game Point.

17-20

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

And he takes the game at the first time of asking. A brilliant contest so far that ebbed & flowed. And Sen takes it to make early inroads.

17-21

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

He's gaining in confidence here is Sen, Kidambi needs to find some distance between himself & his compatriot real soon.

17-21 2-3

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

He's playing his heart out is Kidambi and still loses that point.

17-21 4-5

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Getting longer, and punishing are the rallies. Srikanth hanging in there right now.

17-21 6-8

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Brilliant fightback from Kidambi to draw level in the second game.

17-21 9-9

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

From 4-8 down, Kidambi claws back into the contest to take the lead at the midgame interval of the second game.

17-21 9-11

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Kidambi goes long, and Sen beginning to eat into the lead.

17-21 13-12

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Into the business end of this crucial second game. Can we get a decider?

17-21 16-12

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Fabulous. Just breathtaking badminton on display.

17-21 17-14

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Two points from a decider.

17-21 19-14

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Brilliant from Kidambi. And he forces a decider.

17-21 21-14

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

And it all comes down to this game. A place in the finals & in the history books beckons!

17-21 21-14 2-1

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

He's struggling a bit here is Sen! Punishing rallies are taking a lot out of him at this point.

17-21 21-14 3-1

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Kidambi looking to assert his dominance! But a lucky net cord followed by a net error brings Sen back level.

17-21 21-14 4-4

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

If Sen is struggling physically, Kidambi seems to be struggling with nerves. This is far from over here.

17-21 21-14 6-6

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Looking to be aggressive is Kidambi but Sen isnt giving it up very easily.

A humdinger so far!

17-21 21-14 7-7

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Now its Lakshya's turn to make a move. He goes two points clear before Kidambi pulls one back.

17-21 21-14 8-9

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Brilliant from Lakshya as he has a 3-point cushion at the change of ends.

Can Kidambi fight mount a comeback?

17-21 21-14 8-11

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

These guys are just playing it on a whole other level right now.

17-21 21-14 9-11

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Inching in towards the hour mark, and Sen has a three point cushion.

17-21 21-14 10-13

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

An unforced error from en draws these two level.

17-21 21-14 13-13

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

No one's giving an inch in here!

17-21 21-14 15-15

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Sensational Rally! Ohhh this is just an exhibition of scintillating badminton!!

17-21 21-14 16-15

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

The crowd finds its voice cheering on Kidambi. And he serves up a delectable drop.

17-21 21-14 17-16

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Two errors from Sen. And Srikanth is two points away from the finals.

17-21 21-14 19-16

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Now Srikanth goes wide!

17-21 21-14 19-17

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

Some excellent chasing from Sen, but then he pushes one wide to hand Kidambi the match point.

17-21 21-14 20-17

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021

#BWFWorldChampionships

🇮🇳 @srikidambi v @lakshya_sen 🇮🇳

He's done it has Srikanth. It's been a monumental effort. What a match, what a brutal match and the experience of Srikanth prevails.

17-21 21-14 21-17

#IndianBadminton #TeamIndia #BWFWorldChampionships2021