Awadhe score thumping 5-0 win over Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Saina Nehwal lost to reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin but her side Awadhe Warriors still beat Hyderabad Hunters in a Premier Badminton League encounter at the Gachibowli indoor stadium on Monday.

As Hyderabad lost the men’s doubles, which was their Trump Match, they had to sacrifice the one point they secured from Marin’s victory over Saina, and so the scorline of 5-0.

Awadhe’s Wing Ki Vincent Wong set the ball rolling for his team’s victory in the first match of the day (men’s singles) with a win against Hyderabad’s B Sai Praneeth. Sai Praneeth, who is ranked well below his rival from Hong Kong, put up a strong fight and pulled off a win in the first game. Sai Praneeth is ranked 36, while Wong is ranked 17.

However, Wong came back strong into the match and won the second game 11-6. The third game, marked by long rallies between the two shuttlers, was a see-saw battle and Wong had the last laugh with a 13-11 win.

The second match, the women’s singles between Saina and Marin, was the most awaited contest of the day. Saina, who recently recovered from a knee injury, fought hard in the first game and the remarkable rallies between the two was a treat for the spectators. Marin won the first game 15-14 and went on to dominate the second game also. Saina put up a stiff resistance in the second game, but that was not enough to stop the Spaniard.

Marin, who won the gold in the Rio Olympics and is currently ranked number two in the world, won the second game 11-5.

Noting that it has been a “a difficult journey” for her following the injury, Saina said she was happy to be back to competitive action though she lost the match. “I think it was a difficult journey for me from injury. I am happy to be playing. She (Marin) played yesterday and she is used to the conditions. I am happy that I am coming back,” Saina said.

Marin thanked the spectators for their enthusiastic support to her.

“Thank you very much. This is an amazing crowd. I could feel their support. I am still recovering from an injury. I am happy with my performance during PBL,” she said.