Chennai Smashers edge out a win over Awadhe 4-3; Warriors go up the points table

IN A LOW key tie between Awadhe Warriors and Chennai Smashers, the latter emerged victorious 4-3, the final score. Low key because the much awaited match of the league, Saina vs Sindhu showdown didn't take place as the former wants to get better in the semis.

Vincent gives his team a perfect start as he came from behind to win the match 6-11, 11-9, 12-10 beating Tanongsak of the Smashers. Though the Thai shuttler looked dominant in the first game, it was all about Vincent's smashes and shots on target that took the match away from Tanongsak.

A fresh face seen in the mixed doubles for the Awadhe as Bodin Issara/Prajakta Sawant took on the Adcock couple. Gabby and her better half Chris levelled the scores for their team by winning the match in straight games 11-4, 11-9.

It was a great display of the game by Prajakta as they came close in the second game but fell short against the experienced couple from England.

Men's singles shuttler, Parupalli Kashyap gave his team two points by winning the trump match against young Aditya Joshi. It was not an easy task for the veteran Indian though. 20-year-old Aditya pushed Kashyap to his limits and tested his patience giving the fight of his life.

Kashyap won the first game 11-7 and Aditya dominated in the second, winning it 11-5 but the former capitalized on the youngster's mistakes and took the final game 11-7.

PV Sindhu sealed the tie for her team by a convincing win over upcoming shuttler Rituparna Das winning it in straight games 11-4, 11-7. Though Sindhu thought it would be an easy game but Das really made the Olympic Silver medallist sweat, indulging in some long rallies. But at the end of it, it was less trouble for Sindhu as her mother looked on with smiles among the crowd.

The men's doubles duo of Markis Kido/Goh V Shem cut down the gap between points as they won the trump match beating Mads Kolding/Sumeeth Reddy in straight games 12-10, 11-8. It wasn't an easy game as at the start of the match it looked like the Smashers duo might take the first game but then the experience of Kido and Shem came into play and they won the match.

Awadhe lost the tie but finish on top of the points table with 21 points while Chennai are placed third with 18 points.

Get the latest in the world of Sports, Teams, and Players! Free Delivery to your Inbox.