PBL 2017-18: MATCH REPORT -- Smash Masters enter SF with a 5-0 win over Mumbai Rockets

AHMEDABAD SMASH MASTERS beat Mumbai Rockets 5-0 to enter semi-finals of PBL. It was a collective team effort from the debutants as they go on top of the points table with 17 points. It was a strong and dominant start from the Smash Masters mixed doubles duo of Kamilla Rhytter Juhl/Cheuk Him as they very comfortably defeated their opponents Lee Yong Dae/Gabriela Stoeva in straight games 15-11, 15-7.

It was smooth riding from hereon as Smash Masters' singles shuttlers HS Prannoy and Tai Tzu Ying extended the lead with straight game victories against Son Wan Ho and Beiwen Zhang.

But then all eyes were on the siblings who were up against each other as Sourabh Verma and Sameer Verma were playing their team's trump match. The only thing certain was that one would surely lose their trump.

Sourabh of Smash Masters got a good start to the closely fought first game as he won 15-14. And he made it look very easy in the second game as he ran away with points to win the match 15-11. His win furthered Smash Masters' lead to 5 while Mumbai had a negative point.

The final match of the tie between the men's doubles, Rockets' pair Lee Yong Dae/Tan Boon were looking to cut out the negative point and end their campaign in the third season with a win. They showed that in their opening game, as they won it with ease 15-10. 

They continued that momentum in the second too, to win 15-12 and win the only match of the tie for Mumbai. But the win could only get them from -1 to 0 while Smash Masters go up the points table with 17 points and have sealed a spot in the semi-finals in their debut season which will be held in Hyderabad. 

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