The Chennai Smashers continued its fine run in the 2016 premier Badminton League, beating the Hyderabad Hunters 4-3 to carry on its stupendous run.
Here’s how all the action unfolded:
1.Mixed Doubles: Carsten Mogensen/Jwala Gutta[HH] vs Chris Adcock/Pia Zebadiah[CS]
The opening game saw the Chennai pair take the upper hand as they took a 4-1 lead before stretching it to 8-3 at the interval mark to put early pressure on the home pair in the contest. The other side of the break saw Mogensen and Gutta clinch 3 out of the next 5 points to bring the difference down to 4. However, the pair of Adcock and Zebadiah clinched the next 5 points out od the 6straight to win the game 15-6 and take the early lead in the match.
The second game saw the Chennai pair start off on a positive note again, as they took a 3-2 lead before stretching it to 8-3 at the interval mark. The other end of the break saw Adcock and Zebadiah further tighten their grip over proceedings and they eventually clinched the game 15-8 to get their side off to the perfect start.
Final Scoreline- Chris Adcock/Pia Zebadiah beat Carsten Mogensen/Jwala Gutta 15-6 15-8
2.Men’s Singles: Lee Chong Wei[HH] vs Sony Kuncoro[CS]
The opening game saw the Malaysian take an early 3-1 lead before stretching that advantage further to 8-2 at the interval mark. The other side of the break saw former World No.1 further dominate proceedings as he won 7 out of the next 8 points to win the opening game 15-3.
The second game saw Kuncoro take a 3-1 lead before Lee equalised the score at 3-3 and then at the 4-4 mark, won 4 points straight to head into the interval with an 8-4 advantage.But at the 12-2 mark, Koncoro made a terrific comeback into the match, clinching 7 points straight to reduce the deficit to 3 before equalising the game at 12-12 and then sealing it 15-12 to complete an incredible comeback.
The decider saw the Malaysian take a 4-1 lead before taking it further to 8-3 at the interval mark to take the upper hand in the game. He continued top go upwards after the break and eventually clinched the game 15-8 to bring the Hunters back into the contest.
Final Scoreline- Lee Chong Wei beat Tony Suncoro 15-3 12-15 15-8
3.Men’s Singles: Parupalli Kashyap[HH] vs Simon Santoso[CS]
The opening game saw both players win 2 out of the opening 4 points but at the 3-3 mark, it was Kashyap who took the lead, winning 2 points straight to go 5-3 up before entering into the interval with an 8-5 lead. The Indian maintained his grip over proceedings after the break as well, but Santoso made a defiant return into the match, first equalising the scores at 11-11 before winning 4 out of the next 5 points to take the game 15-12.
The second game similar scenes unfold as both players clinched 2 out of their opening 4 points before a double unforced error from the India meant it was Santoso who took a 4-2 lead, but Kashyap made a terrific comeback into the contest, levelling the scores at 5-5, but despite putting in the yards, he couldn't prevent Santoso from taking an 8-6 lead at the break.
The other side of the break saw Kashyap try to claw his way back into the match, but despite his best attempts, it didn't prove to be enough as Santoso won the game 15-12 to make it 2-1 in favour of the Smashers.
Final Scoreline- Simon Santoso beat Parupalli Kashyap 15-12 15-12
4.Women’s Singles: Supanida Kathetong(HH) vs PV Sindhu(CS)[Trump Match called by CS]
The opening game saw both players win 2 out of their opening 4 points before it was the Indian who took control of proceedings clinching 2 points straight to go 4-2 up. Buy at the 6-3 mark, Kathetong made a fine comeback to level the scores up at 7-7. But it was Sindhu who held on to the slender lead at the interval, going 8-7 up courtesy a backhand smash.
The other end of the interval saw Sindhu clinch 5 points straight to go 12-7 up before eventually winning the game 15-8.
The second game saw both players win 4 out of the opening 8 points before Sindhu clinched 2 points straight to go 6-4 up and then went into the mid-game interval with an 8-5 advantage. But the other end of the break saw Kathetong claw her way back into the contest as she pegged Sindhu back regularly and at the sudden death staged clinched tne game 15-14.
The decider saw the Indian bring out her best and she demolished Kathetong 15-5 to clinch the Trump Match and give her side a 4-1 advantage.
Final Scoreline- PV Sindhu beat Supanida Kathetong 15-8 14-15 15-5
5.Men’s Doubles: Carsten Mogensen/Markos Kido(HH) vs Chris Adcock/Pranaav Jerry Chopra(CS)[Trump Match called by HH]
With their backs against the wall, the Hunters pair came out all guns blazing racing away to a 4-1 lead before extending it to 10-4 and eventually clinched the tie 15-12, despite the Smashers putting in a good fight.
The second game saw Mogensen and Kido take the early upper hand again and they maintained that lead at the mid game interval to head into it with an 8-4 advantage. The other side of the break saw a keen game in progress but it was the Hunters pair who clinched the game 15-13 to give some joy to the home fans.
Final Scoreline- Carsten Mogensen/Markos Kido beat Chris Adcock/Pranaav Jerry Chopra 15-12 15-13
