Doubles duo of Yoo Seong/Ko Sung prove to be heroes for Bengaluru Blasters as they beat defending champs Acers 4-3
THE SECOND TIE of the night in the Premier Badminton League was won by a revamped Bengaluru Blasters 4-3 defeating the defending champions Delhi Acers. Once again, the heroes of the tie were the doubles shuttlers. The experienced services of Yoo Seong/Ko Sung Hyun were productive for the Blasters.
First match was between the men's singles. Jan O Jorgensen began his PBL campaign on a winning note as he defeated his compatriot Viktor Axelsen 11-9 11-8 in the opening tie. He therefore gave the defending champions Acers a good start to the tie.
Though Axelsen showed some fight he couldn't overcome the more experienced Jorgensen.
Then came the mixed doubles contest that saw new pairings in action. Sikki Reddy/Ko Sung Hyun from Bengaluru against Vladimir Ivanov/Jwala Gutta of Delhi. A great start from the Blasters' pair as they won the first game 11-6 putting the Acers' duo under pressure.
The second game too saw Sikki/Ko Sung take the match without much trouble. This win levelled the scores at 1-1.
It was then followed by a crucial match for the Acers as Son Wan Ho was playing the Trump against youngster Sourabh Verma. The Indian made the World No. 4 sweat it out for his points. The Indian lad won the first game 15-13 while the Son got back in the second to push the match into a decider. Since the beginning of the final game, it was a neck-to-neck contest as both didn't want to give up.
Fighting it hard till the end but then a series of errors from Sourabh gave room for Son to capitalise and take those points in his favour. He went on to win the final game 11-6 and eventually the match which put the Acers in a good spot, a lead of 3-1.
The next match between men's doubles was crucial tie for Bengaluru. Ko Sung Hyun/Yoo Yeon Seong representing Bengaluru showed their dominant side on the court against the Russian duo of Ivanov/Ivan Sozonov. The Korean pair after being down in the first game 10-12 came back stronger to win the second with ease 11-3.
At the final game interval it was a two point lead for the Koreans but after the break, Yoo Seong/Ko Sung were on fire and took the game and match in their favour.
The win from Koreans kept the hopes of Blasters' alive as the final match was between women's singles and it was a Trump match for them. A win from Cheung Ngan Yi will seal the deal for the Blasters. She was up against Tanvi Lad who put up a fight and tested Cheung but going ahead in the game it went in favour of Blasters 11-9.
The second game came as a surprise to everyone as Tanvi stunned Cheung by winning it 11-6 forcing the match for a decider. Cheung was under pressure but came back strong in the final game to take 6 straight points and then it was no looking back for the shuttler from Hong Kong. She won the game comfortably 11-1 to help her team cross over the victory line.
Bengaluru Blasters emerge victorious beating Delhi Acers 4-3. The Blasters will face Chennai Smashers next on Tuesday.
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