It has been wonderful to bring you the live coverage as Lakshya Sen created history at the Paris Olympics 2024. Lakshya Sen really did become the first male badminton player to reach an Olympics semi-final.

That's all for today folks. Join us for the semi on the Super Sunday! Until then, why not catch up on more athletics events on our other live coverage, as Tajinderpal Singh Toor plays the men's shot put. See you!

Lakshya Sen will play his badminton men's singles semi-final at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Sunday, August 4, 2024. 

Before today, Lakshya had lost three of his four matches against Chou. He has a similar record against world no. 2 Viktor Axelsen. But if today is anything to go by, Lakshya fears no one.

Born to a Bengali family in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, badminton has always run through the veins of Lakshya Sen's family. His grandfather Chandra Lal Sen was the first person to introduce badminton to Almora, while his father D. K. Sen is his coach.

The last time Lakshya faced Viktor Axelsen was on May 29, 2024, where he lost in a three-set thriller in the Singapore Open Round of 32.

Against Loh Kean Yew, however, Lakshya won their last encounter over three sets, in the French Open quarter-final on March 8, 2024.

Lakshya Sen will face the winner of the quarterfinal between Singapore's Loh Kean Yew (rank 12) and Denmark's Viktor Axelsen (rank 2).

So then, here's the final result. 

Lakshya Sen beats Chou Tien-chen 19-21, 21-15, 21-12

And so the dream stays alive! Saina Nehwal in London 2012 (bronze), PV Sindhu in Rio 2016 (silver) and Tokyo 202 (bronze). Will it be Lakshya Sen in Paris 2024, to bring home a badminton medal for India? He's one win away.

A word of appreciation for Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien-chen. A cancer survivor, don't forget. He came back from 15-17 down to win the first game 21-19. He went toe-to-toe with the 22-year-old for the entire game, until the final stages. 

To fight back from a game down against an experienced campaigner like Chou Tien-chen required excellent fitness and temperament, and that is exactly what Lakshya Sen showed today. He maintained his composure through the long rallies, through the low ebbs, to clinch a historic win!

Chou won game 1, Lakshya fought back to take game 2. And has Chou got more tired, game 3 was always a formality. One heck of a match!

And he has done it! Lakshya Sen becomes the first-ever Indian male badminton player to reach the semi-finals of an Olympic Games. Take a bow, Lakshya, take a bow.

Match point for Lakshya Sen! History awaits...

Chou has lost his momentum completely. Lakshya is now seven points ahead, as Chou fires out again. 19-12!

Lakshya Sen is three points from an Olympics semi-final on his first ever Summer Games. Paris seems like New Delhi, as the cheers get louder for the 22-year-old. 18-12!

Lakshya Sen challenges a shot that was called out, but does not prevail. He has no more challenges left. No problem, he says, and wins the next point. 17-12!

16-11 the lead now for Lakshya. He's five points away from the Paris Olympics 2024 men's singles semi-final. 

Once again, Lakshya takes a five-point lead. A fantastic smash from the young Indian star. He looks in control now, and Chou will need to put up a Herculean fightback.

Chou with a poor shot at the net, handing a five-point advantage back to the 22-year-old Lakshya. His next shot is better, and his smash is in, despite a challenge by Lakshya.

Lakshya is on a roll. The tide of the quarterfinal is turning Lakshya's way with every point. 5 points now in front. Chou a little hapless up against Lakshya's aggression.

Lakshya with a super smash to regain his 4-point advantage. Chou is sent sliding to the floor. 

Lakshya Sen is just ten points away from becoming the first Indian male badminton player to enter an Olympics semi-final.

Lakshya is 11-7 up in the deciding game. Four points is a sizeable gap given how close this match has proven to be. It's advantage Lakshya as we take a short break, but if this game has shown us anything, it's that Chou can never be counted out.

Lakshya regains a 4-point lead again over Chou, making it 10-6. Can he go into the halfway point with the lead?

A smash of intent from Chou. He has pulled it back to 9-6. This game is far from over.

Four points in succession for the 22-year-old. A huge five-point lead in the context of such a tight game. 

Chou fires his smash outside the baseline, another point for Lakshya. Four-point lead now for Lakshya in the deciding game.

A long rally between the two once again. That has been the feature of this contest. But Lakshya maintains his composure this time, it's 6-4.

Up 4-3, Lakshya makes an excellent challenge for a shot that was called outside. He makes it 5-3 before losing a point to Chou, making it 5-4.

Multiple times throughout the match, chants of "Jeetega Bhai Jeetega, India Jeetega" have covered the La Chappelle Arena Court 1. Fantastic support.

And the third game is underway! Lakshya Sen being roared on against a resilient Chou. It's the decider. It's 1-1 to start the third game.

Lakshya Sen has won the second game 21-16! Fabulous temperament from the 22-year-old, as he keeps his energy up for the entire game to take it to a decider. Chou Tien-chen looked a little tired in the end, but he will be re-energised before the third game.

Oh what a contest this has been!

Lakshya has game point! It's 20-16 now. Four points ahead of Chou.

Chou looks slightly tired now, and this match seems to be heading to a deciding third game. Lakshya Sen in the groove now.

Lakshya Sen opens up a four-point lead over Chou Tien-chen. He has the upper hand, but he needs to keep his nerve now. Will Chou fight back again?

The 22-year-old has taken a new weapon. He has changed his racket, as he battles to win the second game. It works immediately, as he takes the lead again. 14-13.

Chou Tien-chen makes it scores even again in the second game. 13-13 now.

Lakshya maintains his small advantage in the second game. He goes up to 13-11, but Chou wins back a point right after. Neither player being able to get a big lead.

What a contest this has been. Back-and-forth, neck-and-neck. Chou makes it 11-11 after the short break. 

Lakshya leads at the halfway point! It's 11-10 in his favour in the second game. And breathe!

Lakshya Sen has fought back yet again. He pulls it back to 10-10 in the must-win second game. This game is also going to the wire.

Who would say Chou was suffering from cancer a year ago? He has looked impeccable so far in this tie, and his fitness has been a match for Lakshya. Remember, Chou is 12 years older than Lakshya.

Lakshya is ordered to return the cork to Chou, but a long debate follows. Lakshya appears frustrated at the hawkeye decision. It stays 8-7 in favour of Chou.

An unsuccessful challenge by Lakshya, who contests whether Chou's shot was inside the line. The review shows that it was 'IN', and Lakshya now trails 8-7. The youngster is visibly unhappy with the decision.

Chou and Lakshya trading blows at the minute. Chou goes to 6-5, after which Lakshya pulls it back to 6-6. A slightly casual shot from Lakshya makes it 7-6, but he fights his way back level to 7-7.

Lakshya Sen wins a sensational rally, and draws level in the second game. It's 5-5 now, and the second game is proving to be just as neck-and-neck as the first.

Chou Tien-chen has shown his class once again, and has fought back to now take the lead in the second game. He leads 5-4.

Lakshya Sen has made the ideal start to the second game, and has flown to a 4-1 lead. He is not letting it slip.

This is the first game that Lakshya Sen has dropped in Paris 2024, having won six in a row before this.

Lakshya Sen has narrowly lost the first set 21-19. The 22-year-old was up 17-15 at one stage, but brilliant resilience from the 34-year-old Chou helps him to the first set.

Lakshya has pulled it back to 20-19. This is tantalisingly close.

Chou Tien-chen doubles down on the pressure on Lakshya Sen, and perhaps a little fatigue for the youngster. Chen now takes set point, leads 20-18.

Chou takes a lead at 19-18. Another long rally ends in a point for the Chinese Taipei man.

Another long rally, and Lakshya had to keep it alive a number of times, but Chou Tien-chen has made it 18-18. Anyone's set to win now.

A long, long rally, went back-and-forth, smashes from both ends, excellent saves too, but Lakshya maintains his composure right to the very end.

Six in a row now for Lakshya. He has taken a slight edge in the first set, and turned the scales around. 17-15 up! Fabulous stuff from the young star.

Four successive points for Lakshya Sen. The 22-year-old is being urged on by a loud, vociferous Indian support here at La Chappelle, and Lakshya is responding to the cheers. 15-15! Game on!

The Indian is still clinging on to Chou, and not letting his lead get out of reach. Just 1 point between Chou and Lakshya now, it's 15-14!

A fantastic smash. That is a sign of intent right there. Young Lakshya is not going to back down. He then follows it up with a second smash, to make it 14-11.

Chou Tien-chen starting to express his prowess on the game. He has now extended his lead to five points, and now leads 14-9.

A fascinating end-to-end encounter at the moment, but it is Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien-chen who has reached 11 points. Lakshya Sen on 9, and very much in the contest.

Lakshya makes a super save to keep the rally alive, and then goes from defence to attack with a fabulous smash. He pulls it back to 10-9.

Neither player is giving the other an inch, fabulous from both players. Lakshya takes the lead at 7-6, but a long rally ends with a point for Chou to make it 7-7.