PBL 2017 | Nehwal and Srikanth help Awadhe Warriors seal semi-final slot

Vincent Wong Wing Ki of Warriors opened confidently and raced to a 6-3 lead before Sourabh Verma staged a remarkable comeback to win the opening game. Verma, who lost to HS Prannoy of Mumbai a day ago, was in his elements as he won the match to put Bengaluru ahead.

Savitree Amitrapai and Bodin Isar restored parity for Warriors by defeating Sung Hyun Ho and Sikki Reddy 11-9, 4-11, 11-5.

Warriors chose Nehwal as Trump and the Indian ace did not disappoint. The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist got the better of Hong Kong's Cheung Ngan Yi in a three-setter. Nehwal lost the opening game 9-11, but rallied to win the next two 11-5 and 11-5.

In the second men's singles, 2014 China Open winner Srikanth stunned world No 3 Viktor Axelsen 11-9, 11-9 to help Warriors take control. Bengaluru’s men’s doubles pair of  Sung Hyun Ko and Yeon Seong managed to pull one back by defeating V Shem Goh and Markis Kido 6-11, 11-9, 11-6 in the concluding clash that was also their trump match, but that didn’t stop Warriors from winning the contest.