A fast look by in the present day’s Thomas Cup matchups as India tackle Denmark in semifinals.
MS1: Lakshya Sen vs Viktor Axelsen
H2H: 1-5 win-loss for Sen.
Memories of the All England remaining will nonetheless be contemporary for Lakshya Sen the place his sport was dismantled by the Olympics champion, Axelsen. But Axelsen has proven vulnerability in the previous couple of days, together with when dropping the opening set towards Heo Kwanghee in quarters.
Sen received the semis at German Open on the weekend earlier than All England, a 22-20 within the decider within the 21-13, 12-21, 22-20 win. That was the one time the faceoff went the gap, and the tall Axelsen has most popular to wrap up in straight units, with a compact sport capped by the large unreturnable smash.
Sen’s wildly reflexive protection and dramatic diving has been a tad suspect at Bangkok, and he had his return of some aches on from All England. Without that side and the waning fearlessness – solely pure given opponents will learn him – his assault seems delicate lite.
Yet, that is Lakshya Sen, backed by a wise crew of tacticians in Indian teaching, who headed into the summer season swing on again of big kills. There is not an opponent on the market who wonders abt Sen: ‘as soon as bitten, twice why will not?’ He begins as a agency underdog, and he loves that tag to the core.
,
‘ ️🇮🇳
Lineup#TUC2022 #ThomasCup2022 #bangkok2022 #IndiaontheRise #badminton pic.twitter.com/vqgwwUVWZE
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) May 13, 2022
MD1: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy – Chirag Shetty vs Kim Astrup – Mathias Christiansen
H2H: 0-0.
This match turns thrilling as a result of Mathias Boe is within the teaching chair. India’s. And he would know the Danes inside out, and is greatest positioned to plot their takedown. He even partnered with Kim Astrup briefly.
Like the Malaysians, Denmark are fielding a scratch pairing – Christiansen often companions Alexander Boje, and Astrup has a profitable pairing with Anders Rasmussen, who enjoys a 5-2 H2H over the Indians together with a 21-16, 21-5 slaughtering at World Tour Finals. So Indians will be completely happy they want solely take care of Astrup right here, the Danes having cut up their pair to prop up the second doubles.
Satwik-Chirag are using excessive on confidence after beating Malaysia, however would possibly discover the Danes a contact much less nervous and way more combative.
,
Did you expect India’s development to the Thomas Cup semifinals like Ben Beckman? How will they go tonight @BAI_Media#ThomasUberCups #bangkok2022 pic.twitter.com/ZZW3K19IqJ
— BWF (@bwfmedia) May 13, 2022
MS2: Kidambi Srikanth vs Anders Antonsen
H2H: Srikanth trails 2-3 although he received a protracted see-saw 21-19, 19-21, 22-20 on the Swiss Open earlier this yr after three straight units defeats.
India will rely on Srikanth to get this win – and this mid-tie match guarantees to be the pivot round which India’s progress will hinge, by no means thoughts if it is 2-0 or 0-2 to start out with.
The new Srikanth fights, and is able to grit it out on court docket. He’s at all times had the strokes, however there is a layer of solidity to him now, that may ruffle Antonsen. He would do properly to consider this as his final outing and provides it his all. Antonsen performs wild, however will be trusted to struggle to the bitter finish as properly. So it is a good matchup between two intensely indefatigable souls.
And sure, Denmark – India is the place the tactical battles of the backroom groups, will come to life on court docket. But go away it to the ticking brains on court docket to tug off scorching surprises
,
MD2: Krishna Prasad Garaga – Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala vs Anders Skaarup Rasmussen-Frederik Seogaard
H2H: 0-0
Indians are ranked 45, and the Dane scratch pair with a notional rating of 1341. Again, Mathias Boe turns into an important cog on this. Dhruv Kapila-MR Arjun was held again and never fielded as a part of technique, however the two that take the court docket have performed with some quantity of willpower, with out actually wanting like profitable towards the Malaysians.
Yet, scratch pairs are at all times weak and may it come to that the Indians will look to take advantage of the 84 minute late evening loss that the Danes suffered by the hands of Koreans on Thursday, and hope they will spring a wild one. But strictly outdoors probability for Indians right here.
,
Certain nights are simply unimaginable and final evening was one among them.
3-2 towards Malaysia and wow what a personality proven by every and everybody on the market on this squad.
Semifinals towards Denmark tonight!
Let’s get it boysssss
India we want your help tonight pic.twitter.com/iriWyH3dNR
— PRANNOY HS (@PRANNOYHSPRI) May 13, 2022
HS Prannoy vs Rasmus Gemke
H2H: Prannoy trails 1-2.
Prannoy, ranked 23 will again himself to make this 2-2 in profession head to heads towards Gemke, ranked 13. The Indian sounded his good kind horn by beating Gemke in reality on the World Championships at Huelva in 2021 in an exhilarating 22-20 decider, rallying from a set down.
Prannoy is taking part in one among his steadiest phases of badminton, and might rely as one of many strongest third singles gamers within the event. He’s backed to ship the products by coaches and federation which is why he was exempted from trials, and his confidence stems from his sport that appears sharp and efficient.
Gemke is usually stodgy, however ought to Indua drag this into the decider, he’ll be up towards a extremely pushed opponent, who has carried out it earlier than for India at Asian and different crew occasions. The decibel outdoors ought to again the backhand beast.
,
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
