In a Premier Badminton League (PBL) clash, star shuttler P V Sindhu clinched an exciting Trump match as Chennai Smashers scored a 4-3 win over Hyderabad Hunters.
Sindhu beat her Hyderabad rival Supanida K, an experienced player from Thailand, 15-8, 14-15, 15-5 to seal the issue in favour of Chennai.
Sindhu, who won bronze medals twice, had a comfortable 15-8 win in the first game, but Supanida came back strongly to take the second game 15-14.
However, Sindhu again came back strong and defeated her 15-5 in the deciding game to clinch the match in her favour.
After winning the match, Sindhu said, “A great match which proved to be a very tough fight. Supanida was good in many areas and played extremely well against me. In the first game, I executed very well and continued to put the pressure on her by winning the game.”
“The second game was very tough as she bounced back very strongly. Our intense battle for each point continued in the third game. I re-worked on my game-plan and played added aggression to counter Supanida, which yielded a good win for me.”
Beginning the day with the mixed doubles match between Carsten Mogensen-Jwala Gutta of Hyderabad and Chennai Smashers' Chris Adcock-Pia Zebadiah, the Chennai pair had a comfortable 15-7, 15-7 victory over Hyderabad.
Hyderabad secured one point with veteran men's singles player from Malaysia, Lee Chong Wei, defeating Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Chennai, 15-3 12-15 15-8 win over. Wei had an easy 15-3 win in the first game, but the gritty Chennai player, a seasoned shuttler from Indonesia, gave a stiff resistance and went on to win the second game 15-12. Wei, however, had the last laugh with a 15-8 win in the deciding game.
Lee Chong Wei said: "A very good match and I enjoyed it. First game went as per my game-plans as I managed to dominate the game. Sony Dwi came very strongly in the second game and gave a tough fight to take the game. He surprised me with his attacking skills and quick returns. In the third game, I just kept calm and concentrated on my strategies, which yielded positive result in my favour."
The last match of the day -- the Trump match of Hyderabad -- was the men's doubles in which Carsten Mogensen-Markis Kido of Hyderabad beat Chris Adcock-Pranav Chopra of Chennai 15-12 15-13.
By Phani Ch
