New Delhi: Suo Di was the only winner for Bengaluru Top Guns in their 5th tie of the Premier Badminton League as Ashwini Ponnappa continued to win hearts all over despite losing her exhilarating mixed doubles match with partner Khim Wah Lim. This meant that Bengaluru Top Guns lost the tie 5-2 to Delhi Acers and will go on an extended break before facing Chennai Smashers in their final tie of the tournament at home in Bengaluru on the 13th of January.
The final match of the tie was the most anticipated with India's famed Ashwini Ponnappa facing off against England's talented Gabrielle Adcock with their Malaysian partners Khim Wah Lim and Koo Keat Kien respectively. With only pride to play for, both Ashwini and Lim were up for facing some of the fastest smashes and returns in the tournament so far from the Delhi pair. Both pairs went neck to neck till the last point when at 14 all, a return from Lim gave Adcock and Kien the first game 15-14. The first game was marked by some extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill from Adcock and Ashwini as they tussled for each point. The second game began with Ashwini taking it upon herself to push ahead for her team. At the break, outwitting the Delhi pair with their powerful smashes, Ashwini and Lim led 8-4 in the second game. It was all Ashwini from the break onwards as Lim continued to support her valiantly. Adcock and Kien were outsmarted every step of the way as the Bengaluru pair levelled the match 1 game all by winning the second game 15-9. The deciding game began in spectacular fashion as both pairs went toe to toe in the contest. At the change of ends, it was Ashwini who was all smiles as she and Lim led 8-5 to Adcock and Kien. But in the end, Adcock and Kien closed out the match in a spectacular fashion as they won 15-14 9-15 15-12 to seal a 5-2 win in the tie for their team. Ashwini and Lim impressed everyone with their showing and were disappointed to not keep their fantastic momentum going in the end.
Bengaluru's Chinese Dynamo, Suo Di was given her first chance at the 'Trump Match' as she took on the 17 year old Shikha Gautam in a surprising selection from the Delhi Acers. From the get go, Suo Di was in full control of the game as her pace and power outfoxed the young Indian. The Chinese player took a 1-0 lead in the match, beating Shikha 15-5 in the first game. The second game went as similar to the first game with Suo Di smashing her way to victory in her first 'Trump Match', winning 15-5 15-6 and giving Bengaluru their first points of the tie to trail Delhi 2-4.
With the first match of the tie in Delhi being a contest of two Indians, Sameer Verma was expected to give a good fight to Ajay Jayaram of the Delhi Acers. Unfortunately, the experience of Jayaram overpowered the youngster which was seen immediately in the first game. The first game was lost 11-15 by Sameer with Jayaram's shot selection nearly perfect. In the second game, Sameer was trailing 2-8 at the break before coming back to level it 8 all. The comeback started a point too late as Jayaram comfortably closed out the first match of the tie 11-15 12-15 over Sameer to give the home team a 1-0 lead in the tie.
The Delhi Acers selected the second match of the tie, the men's doubles match as their 'Trump Match' of the tie with Bengaluru's Malaysian duo facing off against their compatriots. The selection of the 'Trump Match' seemed to work for the home team as Kien and Heong rolled over Lim and How in perfect straight sets, beating the Bengaluru duo 15-9 15-10. Barely shaking their opponents' confidence, Lim and How weren't able to match their countrymen in power or shot selection. This gave Delhi an unassailable 3-0 lead in the tie because of the 'Trump Match' bonus point.
With Kidambi Srikanth having exhausted both his 'Trump Match' cards, the second men's singles encounter nonetheless was highly interesting with Rajiv Ouseph ranked 17th in the world as against Bengaluru's skipper who is ranked 9th. The match began in an expected fashion as Srikanth romped to a 6-1 lead in the first game before closing it out 15-4. Then the tides turned completely as Rajiv's tall frame dominated over Srikanth with his smashes forcing errors from the Indian.
The Delhi crowd were on their feet as Rajiv levelled the match 1 game all winning the second game 15-11. The deciding game had everyone on the edge of their seats as Srikanth continued to make errors and missing smashes. Ultimately, Rajiv brought the house down by triumphing over Srikanth, winning 4-15 15-11 15-9 to give Delhi a 4-0 lead in the tie.
