Awadhe Warriors almost snatched defeat from the hands of victory before the class of Wan Ho Son carried them to a nerve-jangling 4-3 win over defending champions Chennai Smashers in a Premier Badminton League clash here on Monday.
With the contest locked 3-3 after Chennai’s Chris Adcock and his wife Gabrielle Adcock pulled off an incredible 15-13, 9-15, 15-14 win over Ashwini Ponnappa and Mathias Christiansen by saving four match points, it all hinged on the South Korean in the final singles battle at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
World No 5 Son didn’t disappoint one bit as he demolished a clueless Rajiv Ouseph 15-6, 15-6 in quick time as Warriors all but sealed their semifinal slot.
Warriors, who play North Eastern Warriors in their final group game on Wednesday, took their points tally to 20 and are second below Hyderabad Hunters. Chennai Smashers’ campaign is not over despite the defeat as they are placed fifth with 13 points. They would need a spectacular effort against Bengaluru Raptors in the final league game on Thursday to advance to the knockouts.
Warriors, aware a win would really strengthen their knockout hopes, were off the blocks in a blaze. The doubles pair of Yang Lee and Mathias Christiansen opened the account with a solid 15-8, 15-6 win over Chris Adcock and B Sumeeth Reddy in their Trump match before Lee Dong Keun made it 3-0 with a 15-7, 15-13 win over Wei Feng Chong in a men’s singles battle.
Smashers finally got on board through Ji Hyun Sung, who beat Beiwen Zhang 15-13, 15-8. The Adcocks then produced a stunning coup but Son stood tall in the end for Warriors.
Results: Awadhe Warriors bt Chennai Smashers 4-3 (Yang Lee/ Mathias Christiansen bt Chris Adcock/ B Sumeeth Reddy 15-8, 15-6; Lee Dong Keun bt Wei Feng Chong 15-7, 15-13; Beiwen Zhang lt to Ji Hyun Sung 13-15, 8-15; Mathias Christiansen/ Ashwini Ponnappa lt to Chris Adcock/ Gabrielle Adcock 13-15, 15-9, 14-15; Wan Ho Son bt Rajiv Ouseph 15-6, 15-6).
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