Shuttler Nettasinghe face Spain’s Abian today

By Susil Premalal   

After his spirited display in the opening Group ‘G’ game of the Paris Olympics 2024 badminton Men’s Singles competition, Sri Lanka’s young shuttler Viren Nettasinghe is all geared up to take on his next opponent, Spain’s Pablo Abian today, at the La Chapelle Arena in Paris.   

Nettasinghe’s strong-willed performance against Malaysia’s Zii Jia Lee, the current World No.7 ranked Men’s Singles player, was the talk of the town for the Olympic debutant, who is well set both physically and mentally to overcome his next group rival, the Spaniard Abian.   

Despite losing in straight sets against the Malaysian top-ranked shuttler 2-0, Nettasinghe proved that he is a hard customer to overcome, which promises Sri Lanka of a possible win in today’s group clash against the current World 62nd-ranked Spanish shuttler.   

Abian, 39, is known as a well-experienced Men’s Singles campaigner but Nettasinghe possesses the possibility of raking in a crucial win.   

The second Group ‘G’ game between Nettasinghe and Abian is scheduled for 12.00 noon local time and 3.30 p.m. Sri Lanka time.   

Only the top player of each group will advance to the Round of 16 at the Paris Games.