Saina Nehwal got the loudest cheers on her first appearance in Season 4 of the Premier Badminton League while P.V. Sindhu earned the maximum points and hammered out a 11-15, 15-9, 15-5 win in women’s singles in the most entertaining contest of the night. The latter was the inspiration in a resounding victory for Hyderabad Hunters against North Eastern Warriors.
Hunters’ men’s singles specialists Lee Hyun Il and Mark Cajlouw produced powerhouse performances to snuff out the Warriors’ resistance. Lee won a Trump Match against Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk; so did Mark against Tian Houwei, putting the tie beyond Warriors’ reach.
Sindhu and Saina are considered the trumpcards of Indian badminton from different generations. Though not engaged in a Trump Match, it did not matter to the fans at the Balewadi stadium whose rousing welcome set the stage for an interesting battle between form and experience and current World No. 3 against No. 9. Sharp on court and switching seamlessly between defence and offence, Saina broke into a clenched fist celebration after winning the opening game.
Playing true to her reputation, Sindhu regained the stranglehold in the second game, focusing on tiring out Saina. India’s No. 1 shuttler banked on half-smashes and clever use of angles to pile on the pressure and clinch the second game. Though Saina had regained momentum, she had to play catch up in the face of ruthless smashes from across the net as Sindhu cruised home. Hunters led 3-1 at this stage.
Lee prevails
South Koreas’ Lee faced off against Thai Tanongsak in a match between two left-handers, finding their own angles to sent the bird gliding across the net. Both attempted to deceive the other using wristy, deceptive shots. The former accumulated points with a hint of authority, only to face a hard time against the latter’s retrieving skills. The tie went to the decider, serving up a thrill for the fans watching the Korean turning on the aggression when it mattered most.
The results: Hyderabad Hunters bt North Eastern Warriors (Kim Sa Rang & Eom Hye Won lost to Kim Ha Na & Lao Min Chun 8-15, 14-15; Lee Hyun Il-(T) bt Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 10-15, 15-13, 15-9; P.V. Sindhu bt Saina Nehwal 11-15, 15-9, 15-5; Mark Cajlouw bt Tian Houwei-(T) 15-11, 15-14).
