Marin exacts revenge as ‘pressure’ of playing at home gets to Sindhu
HYDERABAD: Olympic champion Carolina Marin kicked off her New Year in style as she overcame PV Sindhu 11-8, 12-14, 11-2 to win the inaugural match of the Premier Badminton League (PBL) for Hyderabad Hunters here on Sunday.
It was a spirited performance from the Spaniard who dominated from the beginning. Her powerful smashes and deception at the net were too much for Sindhu, representing the Chennai Smashers.
Marin led 6-4 at the halfway mark of the first game and won 11-8 with Sindhu’s smash crashing into the net. The crowd went silent for a while but soon was back on its feet.
The second game was more competitive with Sindhu and Marin fighting for every point. Marin took an early lead at 3-0 but Sindhu wasn’t willing to go down without a fight and pulled things back as they headed into the break at 6-5.
A challenge in the next point also went in her favour as she registered five consecutive points and looked on course to take the match to the third game. However, eight points later, it was Sindhu who had to save a match point against Marin who had her smash end in the net. A cross-court jump smash, followed by another saw the Indian level the score at 12-12 before two consecutive unforced errors by Marin sealed the game in Sindhu’s favour. Carolina Marin bt PV Sindhu 11-8, 12-14, 11-2 B Sai Praneeth lost to Tommy Sugiarto 6-11, 8-11
Satwik Sai Raj and Chau Hoi Wah lost to Chris Adcock and Gabrielle Adcock 7-11, 9-11.
Rajiv Ouseph bt Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 6-11, 11-8, 11-6
Boon Heong Tan and Wee Kiong Tan of Hyderabad Hunters beat Mads Pieler Kolding and Sumeeth Reddy. 11-7, 11-8 MUMBAI: The Premier Badminton League was plunged into a mini-crisis after the owners of one of the teams, Mumbai Rockets, pulling out “due to environmental and financial challenges”. However, the team will compete in the league.
It is believed the owners may have pulled out due to the financial strain caused by demonetisation. However, the league officials did not confirm this.
According to the official PBL website, the Mumbai franchise was owned by ZOYLO Digihealth Private Limited.
However, the Mumbai team, which includes Ajay Jayaram, HS Prannoy and South Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun, will still compete in the league after new owners were found.