The second day of the Delhi leg will see the hosts the Delhi Acers who won their first match onThursday to take on the Bengaluru TopGuns, who will be desperate for their maiden win in the competition.
Here’s a look ahead:
1.Men’s Singles: Ajay Jayaram(DA) vs Kidambi Srikanth(BTG)(probable)
The first of the two Men’s Singles ties is likely to be an interesting contest. In the only match that he has played so far, Ajay Jayaram won in convincing fashion against Simon Santoso of the Chennai Smashers while Srikanth, who has been a key part of the TopGuns line-up has won two out of the three matches that he has played so far, including a triumph against Lee Chong Wei.
In the head-to-head it is Srikanth who leads 3-0 but as we have seen in this competition so far, there is very little that one can predict.
2.Women’s Singles-P.C Thulasi(DA) vs Suo Di(BTG)(probable)
If you have had to point out one area where the Acers have had issues in the competition so far, it is the Women’s Singles. P.C.Thulasi suffered losses against both Saina Nehwal and P.V Sindhu and Supanida Kathetong so far and on Friday will be up against Suo Di of China, who has looked impressive in the tournament having lost only to Saina, but not before giving her a tough fight.
In the only meeting between the two in 2013, it was the Chinese who prevailed in straight games.
3.Men’s Singles- Tommy Sugiarto(DA) vs Sai Praneeth(BTG)(probable)
One of the things that Sai Praneeth has had to endure in the competition so far has been his close losses in almost all the matches that he has played. He has reached the stage where he looked like the taking the upper hand but then flattered to deceive.
On Friday, he could be up against World No.12 Tommy Sugiarto, who defeated Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia in the Trump Match on Thursday and he can ill afford to let go of the advantage against the Indonesian, who will look to clinch the tie in what could be a Trump Match for the Acers.
4.Mixed Doubles: Tan Boon Heong/Gabrielle Adcock(DA) vs Robert Blair /Ashwini Ponnappa (probable)
Probably the second Trump Match of the day could see the pair of Tan Boon Heong and Gabrielle Adcock, who have done well so far take on will face off against the pair of Joachin Nielsen and Ashwini Ponnappa, who have had a good tournament so far despite their side not having won a single match overall.
It could be a critical match again in the overall scheme of things and both pairs would look to clinch it.
5.Men’s Doubles- Koon Kiet Keat/Tan Boon Heong(DA) vs Joachim Nielsen/Robert Blair(BTG)(probable)
If one had to pinpoint one category of in the whole tournament that has provided the most thrills and spills, it has been the Men’s Doubles. The Malaysian pair of Koon Ket Keat and tan Boon Heong have played well so far but on Friday, they could be up against another very fine duo of Robert Blair and Joachim Nielsen.
The doubles have decided quite a few matches thus far and if this contest proves a deciding one, then we are certainly in for a cracker of a contest.
