PBL: Sindhu, Caljouw take Hyderabad Hunters to top of standings

PUNE: PV Sindhu began the new yr with a win over Saina Nehwal and Mark Caljouw defeated North Eastern Warriors trump Tian Houwei to give Hyderabad Hunters their 3rd win in Premier Badminton League here on Tuesday.

The victory way defending champions Hunters would end the Pune leg of the match on top of the leaderboard.

While the match was essential for both teams in their quest for the semi-final spot, the added attraction for the lovers at the first day of the new yr was the conflict between India's two go back and forth queens, Saina and Sindhu.

Sindhu, who had lost her last two matches within the PBL in opposition to Sung Ji Hyun and Beiwen Zhang, emerged victorious 11-15. 15-Nine, 15-Five win.

Saina, who had sat out the earlier three matches of North Eastern Warriors because of a shin damage, was now not 100 p.c and was noticed struggling for stamina following long rallies.

But the way in which she fought back from a 7-10 deficit to clinch seven straight points after which wrap up the outlet recreation confirmed that the former global primary was now not going to move out with out a battle.

However, Sindhu controlled to boost the pace in the second recreation as she raced to a Eight-3 lead and regardless that Saina fought back to close the space to 6-Eight, the 23-year-old Olympic and World Championship silver medallist at all times regarded in control.

Saina regarded tired within the 3rd and last recreation and Sindhu dominated the lawsuits thereafter as the Commonwealth Games gold medallist struggled to lunge in opposition to her forehand and lost the decider reasonably simply.

Caljouw, who is unbeaten within the match thus far, had to overcome a powerful comeback from Houwei in the second recreation to to win 15-11, 15-14.

The Dutchman had raced during the opening recreation and regarded in complete control when he took a 10-6 lead in the second recreation. But Houwei wasn't giving up and engaged Caljouw in long rallies to clinch four straight points to degree the ratings.

It was a fight of attrition from thereon as the players stayed neck and neck with Caljouw having the overall laugh after Houwei's elevate sailed long after one of the vital longest rallies of the match.

Earlier, the experienced Lee Hyun Il were given the Hunters back into the competition from the edge as he fought back from a recreation all the way down to win her trump in opposition to Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk.

With the Hunters trailing Zero-1 following the Eight-15, 14-15 lack of Kim Sa Rang and Eom Hye Won within the opening blended doubles match in opposition to Kim Ha Na and Liao Min Chun, Lee had to win the team's trump.

And it regarded an onerous activity when Tanongsak dominated the outlet recreation and regarded on a roll.

But the 38-year-old Lee confirmed why he is still considered the most bad opponent at the circuit as he moved his Thai opponent everywhere in the court to take a 7-1 lead in the second recreation after which held directly to the benefit to power a decider.

Tanongsak appeared to lose steam after the Lee masterclass in the second recreation and was at all times chasing the game within the decider and the Hunters earned two points with a 10-15, 15-13, 15-Nine win earlier than Saina and Sindhu took the court for the Super Match of the day in front of a packed stadium.