PBL 2017 | Mumbai Rockets thump Hyderabad Hunters to top table

01/05/2017

In an enticing clash between world No 2 Carolina Marin and third-ranked Sung Ji Hyun, the South Korean came out on the top as Mumbai Rockets beat Hyderabad Hunters 2-1 in the PBL on Wednesday. Both sides lost their trump matches and Mumbai currently top the table with 8 points.

Hosts Mumbai got off to a great start as Lee Yong Dae and Nipithphon Phuangphuapet won the men’s doubles match against Tan Boon Heong and Tan Wee Kiong 11-9, 11-9.

The biggest clash of the night, however, was between Hyun and Marin, who defeated both PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal in earlier rounds. Hyun won the opening game 11-7 in a dominating manner. The Spanish ace hit back hard to take the second with a similar scoreline after clinching seven points in a row.

The decider was a closely fought affair. Marin was on match point at 12-11, but three unforced errors in a row by the Spanish southpaw handed the match to Hyun.

Rajiv Ouseph brought Hyderabad Hunters back into the contest with a comfortable with over Ajay Jayaram before Chau Hoi Wah and Satwik Sai Raj teamed up to beat Nadiezda Zieba and Lee Yong Dea in a marathon three-setter. The loss in the trump game meant Hyderabad moved to a 2-1 lead over Mumbai with just one match remaining.

However, HS Prannoy registered a dominating win of Sameer Verma, who was selected as the trump for Hyderabad, to dramatically win the tie for Mumbai 2-1.

Results:

T.B. Heong /W.K. Tan 9-11, 9-11 L.Y. Dae /N. Puangpuapech

C. Marin 7-11, 11-7, 12-14 S.J. Hyun

R. Ouseph 11-7, 11-8 A. Jayaram

C.Wah /S.S. 11-13, 12-10, 15-14 N. Zieba /L.Y. Dae (T)

S. Verma (T) 6-11, 7-11 H.S. Prannoy