PBL 3 Tie 2: Carolina Marin leads Hyderabad Hunters

Hyderabad Hunters started their campaign with the victory against North Eastern Warriors by registering 4 points in tie 2 on Sunday at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium. They won their men’s doubles, men’s singles and women’s singles matches.

On the other hand, Ajay Jayaram’s North Eastern Warriors took the first two matches to the distance but failed to triumph. Hunters opened their account with win by men’s doubles pair of Markis Kido and Yoo Yeon Seong who outplayed Kim Gi Jung and Shin Baek Cheol with 15-10, 13-15, 15-13 in a thriller to give them their first point. The South Korean duo put up a valiant fight but the experienced Indonesia’s Kido and Korea’s Seong bounced with the great defense.

Later, Lee Hyun Il created an upset by defeating Ajay Jayaram with 15-13, 11-15, 15-6 in the men’s singles contest. Aggressive Jayaram, who held a 3-0 advantage against the Korean in their earlier meetings, strode to a 6-0 lead in the first game. But, Lee Hyun clawed back to turn the tables on him with 15-13.

The Indian rebounded in the second and stretched the match to the third game, Lee Hyun closed out the match with a dominant display.

Ajay, who dazzled with his court craft and excellent drop shots, managed to equalise before melting under pressure. He committed a lot of repeated unforced errors to help southpaw Lee, who stepped his game and brought out some superb drop shots and record Hyderabad’s second win.

The North East Warriors took the first two matches to the distance but failed to deliver the knockout blow. Hunters’ star player Carolina Marin, returning from the injury, justified her world no. 4 billing, defeating Michelle Li 15-9, 15-11 in her trump match to make the tie score 4-0.

Results:

Men’s doubles: Markis Kido/Yoo Yeon Seong beat Kim Gi Jung/ Shin Baek Cheol 15-10, 13-15, 15-13.

Men’s singles: Lee Hyun Il beat Ajay Jayaram 15-13,11-15,15-6.

Women’s singles: Carolina Marin beat Michelle Li 15-9,15- 11.

Men’s singles: B. Sai Praneeth (T) lost to Tzu Wei Wang 15-11, 6-15, 6-15