Hyderabad: Hyderabad Hotshots thrashed Pune Pistons 3-0 in the first semi-finals of the inaugural Indian Badminton League at Gachibowli stadium here on Wednessay. The match saw some thrilling competition between the Hotshots and the Pistons in which the hosts prevailed over their opponents, with Saina Nehwal and Ajay Jayram winning their respective singles matches.
In the Women’s singles category Saina Nehwal registered her sixth win in a row defeating Pune Pistons Schenk Juliane. Hyderabad Hotshots played outstanding match today winning all three ties in the Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles and Men’s doubles category. After winning today’s match, Hyderabad Hotshots entered into the finals to be played in Mumbai on 31st August.
Post their win Goh V Shem said “I was under pressure in the first game. Me and my partner Wah Lim Khim’s smashes became very powerful by the time we reached the end of second game and that is what made us win the match. I am hoping to repeat the same show in the Finals in Mumbai.”
After winning the Women’s Singles Saina Nehwal said “I lost my focus in the 2nd game and was unable to retrieve few shots. Schenk also changed her shots little bit which became quite dangerous. But I just thought about winning for a few seconds and got myself back in action to win the match.”
Ajay Jayaram, Vodafone Player of the Tie said, “It was not a miracle overnight. I was suffering from an injury yesterday and I rested the entire day which really worked well and I won the match. I also changed my strategy a little bit to play against Tien Minh Nyugen.”
The match tally was as follows:
|
Ajay Jayaram (HH) beats Tien Minh Nyugen (PP) |
21 – 17 21 – 11 |
|
Saina Nehwal (HH) beats Juliane Schenk (PP) |
21 – 10 19 – 21 11 – 8 |
|
V Shem Goh and Wah Lim Khim (HH) beats Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Sanave Thomas (PP) |
16 – 21 21 -14 11 – 7 |