All England Badminton 2018 | News, Live Blog, Results, Match Updates, Fixtures
The 2018 All England Championship starts on March 14 and Indian fans will hope that someone can follow in the steps of Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand and win the prestigious event for just the third time in the country’s history. With the likes of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu in the women’s category and Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy, and Sai Praneeth on the men’s side of the draw, India have a realistic chance of winning the event this time around. SportsCafe will bring you all the live action from all Indian matches as the tournament progresses over five days.
BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor
15 Mar, 11:29
You can check out all the action of Day 2 by clicking on the Round 2 link above.
15 Mar, 11:28
DAY 1 ROUND UP
What a day we had at the All England Championships yesterday!! It all started off with Michelle Li beating third seed Ratchanok Intanon in the first match of the day. It then appeared that it would be a horror show for India as Saina Nehwal and the women’s doubles pairing of Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikki Reddy were ousted in back to back games. However, with Kidambi Srikanth and PV Sindhu fighting back from a game down to win their respective matches, all the pieces seemed to be falling in the right places. But it proved to be a false dawn as far as the Indian fans were concerned as Sai Praneeth, Manu Attri, Sumeeth Reddy, Meghana Jakkampudi, Poorvisha Ram all found the exit door on the very first day. But, keeping with the trend of the day, the remaining Indian contingent made a comeback with HS Prannoy, Sikki Reddy, Jerry Chopra, Chirag Shetty, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy making it through to Day 2 in their respective events.
14 Mar, 10:07
INDIA UPDATE: SIKKI-JERRY THROUGH TO NEXT ROUND
Sikki Reddy and Jerry Chopra will join Kidambi Srikanth and PV Sindhu in the next round of the Championships after they beat Marvin Seidel and Linda Efler in straight games of 21-19, 21-13.
14 Mar, 10:03
INDIA UPDATE
Sai Praneeth has lost his match against Son Wan Ho after winning the first game 21-13. He went on to lose the other two 21-15 and 21-11.
Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy's campaign is also over after they were beaten by Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge in straight games of 22-20 and 21-12.
Jerry Chopra and Sikki Reddy, however, are on the brink of victory and are leading Marvin Seidel and Linda Efler 18-13 in the second game having won the first one 21-19.
14 Mar, 09:31
INDIA UPDATE
Sai Praneeth has lost the second game against Son Wan Ho and a decider will be needed to find a winner in that one.
Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy missed a game point opportunity and ended up losing the first game against Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge by a score of 22-20.
Jerry Chopra and Sikki Reddy are leading Marvin Seidel and Linda Efler by 11-5 at the mid game break.
14 Mar, 09:25
INDIA UPDATE
After winning the first game against former World No. 1 Son Wan Ho, Sai Praneeth is down 11-8 in the second.
Meanwhile not a lot of good news from the men's doubles either as Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy are trailing Marcus Ellis/Chris Langridge 15-10 in the first.
14 Mar, 09:17
Chochuwong 9 - 21 Sindhu
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!!! Sindhu is through to the next round. What a comeback. She looks extremely fit this time around. If Praneeth and Prannoy can get their wins, we can actually salvage something from today.
14 Mar, 09:15
Chochuwong 8 - 20 Sindhu
Chochuwong looks done as Sindhu brings up match points. 12 of them!!
14 Mar, 09:14
Chochuwong 8 - 18 Sindhu
After Chochuwong takes a point off her, Sindhu shows great defensive skills to stay in the rally and eventually the Thai commits the error.
And just like that, it's a 10 point game.
14 Mar, 09:12
Chochuwong 7 - 15 Sindhu
The real Sindhu has decided to show up with her monstrous power. A great cross court smash leaves Chochuwong gasping for air. EIGHT POINT GAME NOW!
14 Mar, 09:11
Chochuwong 7 - 13 Sindhu
WOW!!! She just pins Chochuwong back at the baseline and finishes her off with a down the line smash.
14 Mar, 09:10
Chochuwong 7 - 12 Sindhu
With a beautiful cross court drop Sindhu extends her lead.
14 Mar, 09:11
Chochuwong 7 - 11 Sindhu
In the other game, Sai Praneeth has just taken the first game against Son Wan Ho. (W)Ho saw that coming?
14 Mar, 09:09
Chochuwong 7 - 11 Sindhu
But it is Sindhu who goes into the break leading by four points. The last of them was a devastating cross-court smash.
14 Mar, 09:08
Chochuwong 7 - 9 Sindhu
This time, however, Chochuwong is not going to let the Indian have a huge lead and fights back with two consecutive points.
14 Mar, 09:07
Chochuwong 5 - 9 Sindhu
Just like the first two games, Sindhu races away before the break.
14 Mar, 09:06
Chochuwong 5 - 7 Sindhu
Sindhu still in control but Chochuwong is not letting up at all.
14 Mar, 09:05
Chochuwong 2 - 5 Sindhu
What a response by Sindhu!!! Wonderful drop shot by the Indian to keep the Thai at bay.
14 Mar, 09:03
Chochuwong 2 - 4 Sindhu
Some terrible net play by Sindhu gives Chochuwong a simple smash that she gladly accepts.
14 Mar, 09:03
Chochuwong 1 - 4 Sindhu
Chochuwong looks anxious as she is trying to go for the jugular too soon. Two points to Sindhu. Make that three
14 Mar, 09:02
Chochuwong 1 - 1 Sindhu
And we are level. Something tells me this is going to be a trend in this game.
14 Mar, 09:01
Chochuwong 1 - 0 Sindhu
Chochuwong takes the first point as Sindhu misjudges a dropping shuttle.
14 Mar, 09:01
Chochuwong 0 - 0 Sindhu
HERE WE GO!!! DECIDER TIME!! I WOULD CHEW MY NAILS BUT THEN I CAN'T REALLY TYPE
14 Mar, 09:00
Chochuwong 17 - 21 Sindhu
SHE HAS DONE IT!! At the third time of asking, Chochuwong hits her backhand push down the line long. She drops to her knees. Does she realize there is one more game to go??
14 Mar, 08:59
Chochuwong 17 - 20 Sindhu
And another one!! Some nifty play at the net by the Thai. As Sir Alex Ferguson would say "squeaky bum time"
14 Mar, 08:58
Chochuwong 16 - 20 Sindhu
She saves one with a backhand smash. WOW!! Some shot that!
14 Mar, 08:58
Chochuwong 15 - 20 Sindhu
GAME POINT SINDHU. Chochuwong misjudges a drive that catches the line.
14 Mar, 08:57
Chochuwong 15 - 19 Sindhu
Sindhu gifts away a point as she fails to complete a hairpin shot.
14 Mar, 08:56
Chochuwong 14 - 19 Sindhu
Sindhu replies with a down the line smash of her own.
14 Mar, 08:56
Chochuwong 14 - 18 Sindhu
Now, Chochuwong with a smash down the line on the forehand side to make it a four point game.
14 Mar, 08:54
Chochuwong 12 - 18 Sindhu
Chochuwong is just not giving up here. Two more points for the Thai star. The second was yet another inside out smash.
14 Mar, 08:54
Chochuwong 10 - 18 Sindhu
THAT WAS A BIG POINT. Sindhu needed that to stop Chochuwong from building any more momentum. And another point for Sindhu.
14 Mar, 08:53
Chochuwong 10 - 16 Sindhu
Here we go. Chochuwong is finding her rhythm again. SIX POINT GAME NOW
14 Mar, 08:52
Chochuwong 8 - 16 Sindhu
But Sindhu doesn't look like she is going to let this slip. and recovers with two back to back points.
14 Mar, 08:51
Chochuwong 8 - 14 Sindhu
Make that two in a row for the Thai star.
14 Mar, 08:51
Chochuwong 7 - 14 Sindhu
Sindhu does the same now. After extending her lead, she allows Chochuwong a route back as she fails to pick up an inside out smash.
14 Mar, 08:49
Chochuwong 6 - 13 Sindhu
Chochuwong wins a point back but on the very next one she hits a drop wide. Sindhu in complete control.
14 Mar, 08:50
Chochuwong 5 - 12 Sindhu
Sindhu seems to be in great touch. She stretches Chochuwong to all parts of the court before coming up with a smash at the net to to make it a SEVEN POINT GAME
14 Mar, 08:48
Chochuwong 5 - 11 Sindhu
Remember Sindhu was leading 11-5 in the first but somehow managed to mess that up?
14 Mar, 08:46
Chochuwong 5 - 11 Sindhu
And she extends that further with a body smash to go into the break with a healthy six point lead.
14 Mar, 08:46
Chochuwong 5 - 10 Sindhu
After Chochuwong takes a point off the Indian, the latter fights back to take two points which means that she now has a commanding five point lead.
14 Mar, 08:44
Chochuwong 4 - 8 Sindhu
Great judgment by Sindhu. She lets two shuttles fall and both are long. FOUR POINT GAME NOW
14 Mar, 08:44
Chochuwong 4 - 6 Sindhu
Chochuwong reduces the deficit to one again only to see Sindhu retake a two point lead.
14 Mar, 08:42
Chochuwong 3 - 5 Sindhu
Both players split a point apiece again. This is becoming intense now.
14 Mar, 08:41
Chochuwong 2 - 4 Sindhu
Chochuwong gets one back but Sindhu regains the two point cushion on the very next point.
14 Mar, 08:41
Chochuwong 1 - 3 Sindhu
The Indian has rushed away to a two point lead with a couple of quick points.
14 Mar, 08:40
Chochuwong 1 - 1 Sindhu
Sindhu wins the first point but is quickly pegged back by Chochuwong.
14 Mar, 08:39
Chochuwong 22 - 20 Sindhu
And just like that Sindhu loses the first game. I am still scratching my head to understand what just happened!! But still, two games to go!!
14 Mar, 08:38
Chochuwong 20 - 20 Sindhu
SHE SAVES IT... 20-20....GAME ON!!
14 Mar, 08:37
Chochuwong 20 - 19 Sindhu
Both players win a point each but its game point Chochuwong.
14 Mar, 08:36
Chochuwong 19 - 18 Sindhu
Sindhu fights back with two quick points to reduce the deficit to just one point. Chochuwong needs just two points to win.
14 Mar, 08:35
Chochuwong 19 - 16 Sindhu
After both players split two points, Chochuwong has won three points in a row to take a commanding lead in the game!!
14 Mar, 08:33
Chochuwong 15 - 15 Sindhu
Both players split a couple of points and we are level at 15-15 now. This could get close folks.
14 Mar, 08:32
Chochuwong 14 - 14 Sindhu
Oh my!! Chochuwong has won five points in a row to level things up here. WOW what is happening????
14 Mar, 08:31
Chochuwong 9 - 14 Sindhu
Sindhu wins two of the next three points. This does not look to good for Chochuwong. She needs to find an answer quickly or this game is done.
14 Mar, 08:32
Chochuwong 8 - 12 Sindhu
Both players are not letting each other build any sort of momentum. The problem for Chochuwong is that Sindhu is way ahead.
14 Mar, 08:27
Chochuwong 7 - 11 Sindhu
But it's Sindhu who will keep her four-point advantage intact going into the midgame break.
14 Mar, 08:28
Chochuwong 7 - 10 Sindhu
Hang on there!!!! Chochuwong has just won three in a row to reduce the deficit to three now.
14 Mar, 08:25
Chochuwong 4 - 10 Sindhu
After Chochuwong finally gets a point to her name, Sindhu takes her own score into double digits. This one could end pretty quickly
14 Mar, 08:24
Chochuwong 3 - 8 Sindhu
Sindhu is not messing about here. She wants to end this as soon as possible. The Indian shuttler now leads 8-3
14 Mar, 08:22
Chochuwong 3 - 6 Sindhu
Even though Chochuwong looked like she might be fighting her way back into the game, SIndhu ensures that the 3 point margin remains intact.
14 Mar, 08:22
Chochuwong 0 - 3 Sindhu
And just like that Sindhu races away to a 3-0 lead. Good start by the Indian star.
14 Mar, 08:22
Chochuwong 0 - 0 Sindhu
Pornpawee Chochuwong and PV Sindhu now go head to head and the latter is the only Indian remaining in the women's singles after Saina bowed out early today.
14 Mar, 07:36
Finally a win for India and what a win!!! Srikanth with an exceptional come from behind victory against Leverdez. He looked like an amateur in the first game but turned into a combination of Lin Dan, who btw is playing right now, and Lee Chong Wei to win the match. PV Sindhu is up next after the break.
I personally need a break from typing, and more importantly to recover emotionally, after that game. Be sure to come back at 810 IST for the remainder of the games today.
14 Mar, 07:23
Leverdez 20 - 22 Srikanth
HE HAS DONE IT!!! Or rather Leverdez hands it to him with yet another unforced error.
14 Mar, 07:22
Leverdez 20 - 21 Srikanth
Srikanth has a chance to win it now as Leverdez's inside out smash goes wide.
14 Mar, 07:21
Leverdez 20 - 20 Srikanth
HE SAVES IT!!!! LEVERDEZ LOOKS NERVOUS!!
14 Mar, 07:21
Leverdez 20 - 19 Srikanth
Leverdez with the match point opportunity as Srikanth can't return a smash.
14 Mar, 07:20
Leverdez 19 - 19 Srikanth
And now Leverdez with the lead. His down the line smash is just good enough for Srikanth. But the Indian draws level.
14 Mar, 07:20
Leverdez 18 - 18 Srikanth
And we are level again. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back the Srikanth from the first game and his best friend, unforced erroes.
14 Mar, 07:18
Leverdez 16 - 17 Srikanth
RALLY OF THE GAME!! OF THE MATCH!! AND THE TOURANMENT SO FAR!!. Leverdez somehow manages to keep the shuttle in play when he had no right to do so. But eventually a Srikanth smash is too much for him.
14 Mar, 07:17
Leverdez 16 - 16 Srikanth
This time it is Leverdez who hands away the advantage as he hits the net while attempting a smash.
14 Mar, 07:16
Leverdez 15 - 15 Srikanth
After he gets lucky with a point, Srikanth tries , I don't even know what, a werid drive and it goes well wide.
14 Mar, 07:15
Leverdez 14 - 14 Srikanth
AND WE ARE LEVEL!! Srikanth with a big smash at a big moment.
14 Mar, 07:15
Leverdez 14 - 13 Srikanth
THAT'S ONE BACK. Leverdez's smash looks right on the money but Srikanth turns the angle and makes it into a winner for himself.
14 Mar, 07:14
Leverdez 14 - 12 Srikanth
WHAT IS HAPPENING!!! Leverdez with a two point lead.
14 Mar, 07:13
Leverdez 13 - 12 Srikanth
Oh my my!!! Leverdez with the lead now!!! Srikanth caught in two minds and eventually hits it wide.
14 Mar, 07:13
Leverdez 12 - 12 Srikanth
OOOHHH!! Wonderful by Leverdez!!! That cross court drop looked like it came off Tai Tzu Ying's racquet.
14 Mar, 07:12
Leverdez 11 - 12 Srikanth
But the Frenchman fights back with three back to back points. ONE POINT GAME!
14 Mar, 07:11
Leverdez 8 - 12 Srikanth
Brilliant net play by Leverdez. I am kidding of course. Srikanth comes out on top as Leverdez's long pick is called out.
14 Mar, 07:09
Leverdez 8 - 11 Srikanth
Hang on!!! Leverdez has just won two points in a row. The second a powerful smash to make it a THREE point game.
14 Mar, 07:09
Leverdez 6 - 11 Srikanth
HOLY C**P!!! What a pick. Oh wait, the shuttle bounced right in front of Srikanth. But it doesn't really matter as he takes the next one to go into the break with a five point lead.
14 Mar, 07:07
Leverdez 5 - 10 Srikanth
AND SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN!!! Leverdez with another point lost at the net.
14 Mar, 07:07
Leverdez 5 - 9 Srikanth
FOUR POINT LEAD IN THE DECIDER. Leverdez looks spent. He took his time picking himself up after losing another point at the net.
14 Mar, 07:05
Leverdez 5 - 8 Srikanth
Three point game again as Srikanth comes up with a huge smash.
14 Mar, 07:05
Leverdez 5 - 7 Srikanth
After Srikanth's inside out smash went wide, Leverdez gifts him a point back with a wide hit.
14 Mar, 07:05
Leverdez 4 - 6 Srikanth
And now Srikanth is building the lead. It was at the net and Leverdez's luck has run out.
14 Mar, 07:04
Leverdez 4 - 4 Srikanth
But it doesn't really matter. Srikanth is back on terms.
14 Mar, 07:03
Leverdez 4 - 2 Srikanth
Another net point for Leverdez. What sorcery is this?
14 Mar, 07:03
Leverdez 3 - 2 Srikanth
Well done Leverdez. You have finally won a point at the net. Srikanth caught in two minds there.
14 Mar, 07:01
Leverdez 2 - 2 Srikanth
And his body smash has too much venom for the Indian. WE ARE LEVEL
14 Mar, 07:01
Leverdez 1 - 2 Srikanth
Leverdez makes it onto the scoreboard in the third as Srikanth hits it long.
14 Mar, 07:01
Leverdez 0 - 2 Srikanth
Leverdez's smash is wide and on the next point Srikanth shows him how its done.
14 Mar, 06:59
WHAT A TURNAROUND!!! LEVERDEZ MUST BE SO CONFUSED RIGHT NOW. HE MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A SIMPLE ONE AFTER THE FIRST ONE!!!
This has the feel of a heavyweight clash so "LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE"
14 Mar, 06:58
Leverdez 14 - 21 Srikanth
AND LIKE LEVERDEZ HE NEEDS JUST ONE!! GAME ON!!!
14 Mar, 06:58
Leverdez 14 - 20 Srikanth
OH WOW!!! That was an incredible down the line smash. He has six game points now!!
14 Mar, 06:57
Leverdez 14 - 18 Srikanth
After hitting the net on the previous point, Leverdez has the best seat in the house to see Srikanth do the same.
14 Mar, 06:56
Leverdez 13 - 16 Srikanth
Srikanth wins a point as the linesman sides with him on a drive. However, Leverdez's challenge overturns the call.
14 Mar, 06:54
Leverdez 12 - 16 Srikanth
After a smash winner, Leverdez wins another one as the shuttle dances on the tape before falling into the Indian's court.
14 Mar, 06:54
Leverdez 10 - 16 Srikanth
Beautiful disguise on the service return by the Indian. Leverdez looked zapped!!