First game, 20-17, three game points. In the second game, a 7-0 lead.

Lakshya Sen’s inability to seize those moments made the difference against the much-experienced and Tokyo Olympic Games gold medallist Viktor Axelsen here on Sunday.

The La Chapelle Arena was full to the brim to watch this Olympic Games badminton semi-final between the Danish dynamite and the in-form Indian. The Dane, 30, had overwhelming support, but there were Indians too. And after the 22-20, 21-14 54-minute win, when Axelsen rejoiced wildly, the sound of celebration almost broke the roof at the arena.

Deafening roar in a city where maintaining silence is a way of life.

Lakshya now has to recover in 24 hours and fight for the bronze medal with Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia. Given his form, he could land India its first Olympic medal in men’s badminton. The key will be how fast he recovers from this match where he had a chance to pull off badminton’s biggest upset.

“If I had closed the first game, then may be I would have won the match. In the second game too I started well. Unfortunately, couldn’t keep the lead,” the 22-year-old from Almora rued at the mixed zone.

At six feet four inches, Axelsen is a beast. He packs so much power in his smashes that his rivals find it almost impossible to effect a return. On Sunday, once Lashya’s racket flew out of his hand as he tried to return. That was in the second game.

Lakshya tried his best. Over both the games, he was the better player on the court. Experience and clarity of mind pulled it through for the Dane.

“As the game went on, he (Axelsen) started attacking more and I became passive, only defending. I should have taken chances and attacked more. I would take my learnings and the positives from this match. Will give my 100 per cent in the bronze medal match,” Lakshya said.

Axelsen’s delaying tactics while serving also unsettled the Indian. He struggled with the length, spraying wide and long.

At one point, Lakshya was leading 17-11 in the first game. He also had three game points at 20-17. At this crucial juncture, nerves got the better of him and he made unforced errors. Axelsen said ‘thank you’ and won the game 22-20.

“I think the experience made a difference today (Sunday),” was Axelsen’s take. “I think Lakshya played better than I did in big parts of the game. So he could have won the match, but I won the match-up here,” he added pointing to his head.

Axelsen, who plays Viditsarn Kunlavut in the gold medal match, had only good things to say about Lakshya.

“An amazing player. He has shown in this Olympics that he is a very, very strong competitor and I am sure in four years from now, he will be one of the favourites to win the gold in Los Angeles,” Axelsen told the official broadcaster.

Well, four years is a long time. India will hope he gets the bronze on Monday.