Awadhe Warriors reached the semi-finals of the Vodafone Premier Badminton League (PBL) with a 4-3 win over Bengaluru Blasters at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium on Monday.

Going into the tie, Bengaluru needed a huge win over Warriors and it looked their fans were in for a treat after they won the first match to start on a positive note. But Awadhe won two consecutive matches to take 2-1 lead.

Saina Nehwal defeated Cheung Ngan Yi 9-11, 11-5, 11-5 in Awadhe’s “Trump Match” to make it 4-1 for the Lucknow-based side.

In the final match of the tie, Bengaluru won their “Trump Match” as Sung Hyun Ko and Yeon Seong beat Markis Kido and Goh V Shem 6-11, 11-9, 11-9 in the men’s doubles match to reduce the deficit to one point.

Earlier in the day, the home side made a perfect start as Sourabh Verma beat Vincent Wong Wing Ki 13-11, 11-7 in the opening match to give them a huge boost for the remainder of the tie.

But Awadhe soon equalised when Savitree Amitrapai and Bodin Isara overcame Sung Hyun Ko and SikI Reddy 9-11, 11-4, 11-5 in the mixed doubles contest.

In the third match, it was Kidambi Srikanth of Awadhe who beat 2016 Rio Olympic silver medallist Viktor Axelsen 11-9, 11-9 to help his side take a 2-1. Afterwards, Saina utilised her experience to win Awadhe’s “Trump Match” to seal the tie.

Following the win, Awadhe took their tally to 18 points which ensured their qualification to the semi-finals. Bengaluru are in the third spot with 11 points from five ties.

Delhi beat Chennai in Badminton Premier League tie

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Hyderabad Hunters opened their Premier Badminton League (PBL) campaign with a 4-3 win over Chennai Smashers on Sunday.

Reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain overcame Rio Games runner-up P.V. Sindhu 11-8, 12-14, 11-2 in the highly-anticipated clash to give Hyderabad a 1-0 crucial lead.

Delighted with her win, Marin said: “It was a wonderful match and the way the crowd was behind, it was wonderful. Their support meant and lot and helped me to perform a lot better.”

But Tommy Sugiarto pulled Chennai level with an 11-6, 11-8 win over B. Sai Praneeth.

British Adcock couple, Chris and Gabrielle won Chennai’s ‘Trump Match’ over R. Satwiksairaj and Hoi Wah Chau 11-7, 11-9 to give the visitors the 3-1 advantage.

Trailing 1-3, the hosts needed to pull off their socks and they managed to make a sensational comeback as Rajiv Ouseph beat Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 6-11, 11-8, 11-6 to make it 2-3.

Hyderabad’s tactic of making the men’s doubles match as their ‘Trump Match’ paid off as Malaysian experienced customers Tan Boon Heong and Tan Wee Kiong moved past Mads Pieter Kolding and B. Sumeeth Reddy 11-7, 11-8 to ensure a 4-3 victory for Hyderabad.

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Sindhu avenges her Rio defeat; beats Marin to reach Dubai semis

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