Indian badminton stars PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the women’s and men’s singles events at the Paris Olympics with commanding performances on Wednesday.

Sindhu, who is chasing an unprecedented third Olympic medal, cruised through her second and final Group M match against Estonia’s Kristin Kuuba. The two-time Olympic medalist showcased her class with a straightforward 21-5, 21-10 victory, securing her spot in the pre-quarterfinals without much resistance.

In the men’s singles, Lakshya Sen delivered a sensational performance, defeating Indonesia’s world number 4 and reigning All England and Asian champion Jonatan Christie. Sen, ranked 22nd in the world, displayed exceptional skill and composure to win 21-18, 21-12, marking one of the biggest victories of his career.

Reflecting on his match, Sen said, “I think it was a tough match today, happy with the way I played.”

With these victories, both Sindhu and Sen continue their pursuit of Olympic glory, bringing hope and excitement to Indian badminton fans as they move deeper into the tournament.