Chennai Smashers enter SF; Mumbai Rockets suffer first loss in the season
CHENNAI SMASHERS confirm their place in the semi-finals defeat Mumbai Rockets 4-3 in an all important tie for the former in Bengaluru.
HS Prannoy began the tie by putting his team in the lead with his win. He defeated Parupalli Kashyap in straight games 11-9, 13-11 and ends the league stage as the undefeated shuttler. His form really has been top class.
A new face in the tie as Chirag Shetty was paired up with Zieba in the mixed doubles contest against experienced duo of Chris/Gabrielle Adcock who were playing their trump match. Chirag went on to perform and be a star in his own way like his partner, Satwiksai Raj.
To everyone's surprise Chirag/Zieba win the first game 11-9 but the experienced Adcock couple got back quick to win the second 11-2. The final game was a fight as the Adcock couple were under pressure as it was a must win match for the Smashers. They did not disappoint their team as they won 11-7 to get their team back in the tie. The scores were levelled at 1-1.
Tommy Sugiarto played well to bounce back stronger after losing the first game 8-11 and winning following two games with ease 11-2, 11-5. Though Ajay Jayaram put up a fight it wasn't enough to tame the experienced Indonesian.
This put the Smashers 3-1 in the lead and helped them confirm a semi-final place.
This was followed by a thriller match between PV Sindhu and Sung Ji Hyun. The Indian fought hard to win the match and keep Sung away from picking up points, 11-8, 12-10. Though the Korean came back with good shots in the second game, Sindhu did well to keep her at bay and clinch the tie for her team.
The final match of the night between the men's doubles was the trump for Mumbai. Lee Yong/Nipithphon were up against Chris/Mads Kolding. The Rockets team once again stepping up their game and winning the trump to cut down the lead. They won in straight games 11-3, 11-5 with no trouble.
The final score was 4-3 to Chennai Smashers, Rockets taste first defeat in the league.
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