Awadhe Warriors and Mumbai Masters level at 2-2 after four matches
Vladimir Ivanov has impressed one and all with his performance in the Indian Badminton league and he was again at his best on Thursday night when he brushed aside the stiff challenge from K Srikanth and helped Mumbai Masters level the semifinal against Awadhe Warriors 2-2 after four rounds. Ivanov beat Srikanth 21-20, 21-19 in the second men’s singles match.
At the time of going to the press, Awadhe’s mixed doubles pair of Markis Kido and Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth were leading 1-0 against Mumbai’s Ivanov and Tine Baun in the final round of the semifinal. The winner will take on Hyderabad Hotshots in the final on Saturday in Mumbai.
Earlier, rising sensation P V Sindhu outclassed All England Champion Baun in straight games to put Awadhe in lead (2-1) against Mumbai.
World No 10 Sindhu gave flawless performance as she defeated veteran Baun 21-16, 21-13 to level proceedings after world No 1 lee Chong Wei drew first blood for Mumbai outfit, thrashing talented Guru Sai Dutt 21-15 21-7.
In the men's doubles encounter, the formidable Warriors' pair Markis Kido and Mathias Boe made short work of the inexperienced Indian duo of Sumeeth Reddy and Pranav Jerry Chopra with a scoreline of 21-15 21-10.
Buoyed by the presence of owners — legendary Sunil Gavaskar and Telegu star Nagarjuna cheering from the sidelines, lee didn't disappoint them with a clinical effort.
At the first break, the world No 1 lead 7-4 but Gurusai reduced the margin to 12-14 at the second break. Guru provided lee with some anxious moments with down-the-line smashes and impressive net play. Although he committed nine unforced errors compared to five by Guru, the experienced Malaysian bagged the first game 21-15.
As for Guru, he hung in there after forcing some long rallies, but could not breach the extraordinary racquet work displayed by the Malaysian.
After losing the first game, Guru came under far too much pressure as he conceded the first break of the second game 2-7 against the Masters' icon player.
lee capitalised on the retreating confidence of Gurusai and played some magnificent badminton, reminiscent of a ballad pranced by a beautiful damsel, leading 14-2 in the second break.
In the second match, Sindhu kept the hopes alive for Warriors after she beat Baun 21-16 21-13 for the second time in the tournament to equalise the score at 1-1.
Sindhu's win placed Warriors at an advantage, for men doubles have been a bane for the Masters in the tournament and B Sumeeth Reddy and Pranav Jerry Chopra combo were no match for the formidable Warriors' pair Kido and Mathias Boe. The Warriors' pair proved their mettle by thrashing Masters' combination 21-15 21-10, giving a crucial 2-1 lead in the tie.
Sindhu carried her form into the knockout stage, especially after winning all her last three matches including trouncing Baun 21-12, 19-21 in the last encounter against her.
The 18-year-old took lead 7-4 in the first break and yet again 14-9 in the second break, before snatching the game from the three-time All-England champion 21-16. Sindhu repeated the tactics of unsettling Baun in the second game right from the word go. The Indian was a treat to watch as she beat Baun for the second time in the league.
"I'm thankful to the crowd for all the support. My coaches told me how to play my game. As an icon player, I tell all my team players to give their best," Sindhu said after beating Baun.