Mumbai Rockets took full advantage of the injury-forced absence of Saina Nehwal to inflict a 2-1 defeat on Awadhe Warriors in the opening Premier Badminton league (PBl) clash here on Saturday.
Even before the disappointment of the late pull-out from the tie by Saina, which she announced by citing a foot injury sustained a few weeks ago, could sink in fully, the Warriors had lost the first three matches — including their trump match in men's doubles — to squander any chances of a late victory charge.
The Rockets gained the first two points, as against the minus point docked on their rivals, when R M V Gurusaidutt won the first singles against B Sai Praneeth in three games, followed by their straight game win in the men's doubles by Mathias Boe and Vladimir Ivanov over the Warriors pair of Cai Yun and Hendra Gunawan, nominated as the lucknow franchise's trump game.
Docked a minus point after suffering a loss in its nominated trump game, it was imperative for G Vrushali, who was fielded by the Warriors in place of Saina, to win her match against national women's champion Ruthvika Gadde in a battle between two upcoming players from AP and keep the lucknow team in the hunt.
But Vrushali was beaten 13-15, 10-15 by Gadde that sealed the Warriors' fate in the tie with the last two matches remaining to be played.
later, Warriors' world No. 33, Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand upset the Rockets' plan of gaining an extra point with a win in their trump game by beating HS Prannoy 15-12, 14-15, 15-14,which made it 2-0 on points for Mumbai.
The last mixed doubles match was won by Awadhe Warriors when Bodin Issara and Christinna Pedersen defeated Mumbai's Kamilla Juhl and Vladimir Ivanov 15-9, 14-15, 15-14.
Bengaluru face Hyderabad
Bengaluru Top Guns will hope to begin the New Year on a winning note when they open their campaign against Hyderabad Hunters.
Under the mentorship of coach Arvind Bhat, Arjuna Awardee and World No. 9, Kidambi Srikanth will be leading the team which will also be boosted by Sameer Verma and Anand Pawar.
For Men's Doubles matches, Arvind will be banking on Malaysian pair of Khim Wah lim and Hoon Thiem How, besides India's B Sumeeth Reddy, who along with his partner Manu Attri had won Mexico Grand Prix last month.