Bengaluru thrash Delhi Dashers in their PBL opener
NEW DELHI: Superlative performances by world champion Viktor Axelsen and Chen Wei Feng helped Bengaluru Blasters trounce Delhi Dashers 5-2 in their opening match of Premier Badminton League (PBL) on Thursday.
World No. 1 Axelsen, who recently defended his title at the Dubai Super Series Final, outclassed China’s World No. 22 Tian Houwei 15-11, 15-11 in Bengaluru’s Trump match to seal the tie at the Siri Fort Complex here.
Earlier Bengaluru Blasters drew first blood with Kim Sa Rang and India’s N Sikki Reddy combining well to secure a 15-10, 12 -15, 15-11 win over pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Ivanov Vladimir in the mixed doubles match.
Chong Wei Feng then dished out a gritty game as he came back from a game down to stun Wing Ki Wong Vincent of Hong Kong 10-15, 15-13, 15-8 in the first men’s singles to put the Blasters 2-0 ahead.
Delhi, who had lost their opening match 1-4 to Mumbai Rockets, then put their faith on Sung Ji Hyun and he overcame Kristy Gilmour 15-10, 8-15, 15-5 in their Trump match to bring her team back into the contest.
However, Axelsen, poured cold water on Delhi’s hopes with a superb performance. Axelsen showed great athleticism and control and better anticipation as he led 8-6 at the first interval before comfortably pocketing the opening game.
The Dane zoomed to a 6-1 lead in the second and grabbed an 8-4 advantage at the breather with a towering down the line smash. He continued to dominate the proceedings after the break and eventually sealed the issue with another smash.
“Tian is a very good player and it was really close though it was in straight games. It was our trump match and I was expected to play at a higher level and I am happy to do that,” Axelsen said.
Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov had hoped to salvage some pride for the Dashers but Mathias Boe and Kim Sa Rang notched up a 15-9, 15-12 win in the final match to complete a 5-2 drubbing by Bengaluru.