<p> Tanongsak Saemsomboonsuk notched a thrilling win over Ajay Jayaram in the decider as Chennai Smashers clinched their maiden Premier Badminton League title at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here on Saturday. Smashers posted a 4-3 win over Mumbai Rockets, who for the second successive year had to finish runners up.<br /><br /></p>.<p>With the teams level at 3-3, Saemsomboonsuk emerged the hero as he rallied to beat Jayaram 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, triggering celebrations in the Chennai camp.<br /><br />In the evening, P V Sindhu had got the crowd behind her after Smashers were sent on their way by Chris and Gaby Adcock in their trump match. The husband-wife duo beat Nipitphon Puangpuapech and Nadiezda Zieba 11-9, 11-6 in the mixed doubles to give Smashers a flying start and two crucial points.<br /><br />Sindhu, playing Sung Ji Hyun, gave another impressive account of herself. The 21-year-old Indian, with her power and speed, smashed her way to 11-8, 11-8 victory despite Sung putting up a keen fight. The contest witnessed long rallies but the Olympic silver medallist managed to nose ahead 6-5 by the interval of the opening game. Against a confident and attacking Sindhu, Sung slumped to uncharacteristic errors, and the tall Indian held four game points at 10-7 when the Korean fumbled to pick up a low return at the net. Sindhu took the lead when Sung’s return sailed long.<br /><br />Sindhu was pushed by Sung in the first half of the second game, but the Indian broke away after the interval, conjuring an 8-5 lead with a down the line smash. She held five match points at 10-6. Sung saved two before Sindhu sealed the match with another pin-point powerful smash. Sindhu’s victory put Smashers ahead by 3-0.<br />Under pressure to stay alive in the contest, Mumbai's Lee Young Dae and Nipitphon combined fabulously in the men’s doubles to beat Adcock and Mads Pieler Kolding 12-10, 11-6. The win helped Rockets to bridge the gap to 3-2.<br /><br />Mumbai then drew level through HS Prannoy who maintained his unbeaten streak in seven matches in the tournament. He overcame a stubborn fight from Parupalli Kashyap 11-4, 8-11, 11-8. With fast-paced, attacking shots, Prannoy raced to the first game before Kashyap came into his element in the second game to level the scores. Kashyap hurt his shoulder while diving for a return in the decider but hung on. Prannoy, however, closed the match when Kashyap’s return sailed long. At 3-3, Mumbai’s hopes soared but Saemsonboonsuk stepped it up to seal it for Chennai.<br /><br />Results: Chennai Smashers bt Mumbai Rockets 4-3: (Mixed doubles (Trump match for Chennai Smashers): Chris Adcock/ Gaby Adcock bt Nipitphon Puangpuapech/ Nadiezda Zieba 11-9, 11-6. Women’s singles: PV Sindhu bt Sung Ji Hyun 11-8, 11-8, Men’s doubles: (Trump match for Mumbai Rockets): Chris Adcock/ Mads Pieler Kolding lt to Nipitphon Puangpuapech/ Lee Young Dae 10-12, 6-11, Men’s singles: Parupalli Kashyap lt to HS Prannoy 4-11, 11-8, 8-11; Tanongsak Saemsomboonsuk bt Ajay Jayaram 9-11, 11-7, 11-3).</p>
<p> Tanongsak Saemsomboonsuk notched a thrilling win over Ajay Jayaram in the decider as Chennai Smashers clinched their maiden Premier Badminton League title at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here on Saturday. Smashers posted a 4-3 win over Mumbai Rockets, who for the second successive year had to finish runners up.<br /><br /></p>.<p>With the teams level at 3-3, Saemsomboonsuk emerged the hero as he rallied to beat Jayaram 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, triggering celebrations in the Chennai camp.<br /><br />In the evening, P V Sindhu had got the crowd behind her after Smashers were sent on their way by Chris and Gaby Adcock in their trump match. The husband-wife duo beat Nipitphon Puangpuapech and Nadiezda Zieba 11-9, 11-6 in the mixed doubles to give Smashers a flying start and two crucial points.<br /><br />Sindhu, playing Sung Ji Hyun, gave another impressive account of herself. The 21-year-old Indian, with her power and speed, smashed her way to 11-8, 11-8 victory despite Sung putting up a keen fight. The contest witnessed long rallies but the Olympic silver medallist managed to nose ahead 6-5 by the interval of the opening game. Against a confident and attacking Sindhu, Sung slumped to uncharacteristic errors, and the tall Indian held four game points at 10-7 when the Korean fumbled to pick up a low return at the net. Sindhu took the lead when Sung’s return sailed long.<br /><br />Sindhu was pushed by Sung in the first half of the second game, but the Indian broke away after the interval, conjuring an 8-5 lead with a down the line smash. She held five match points at 10-6. Sung saved two before Sindhu sealed the match with another pin-point powerful smash. Sindhu’s victory put Smashers ahead by 3-0.<br />Under pressure to stay alive in the contest, Mumbai's Lee Young Dae and Nipitphon combined fabulously in the men’s doubles to beat Adcock and Mads Pieler Kolding 12-10, 11-6. The win helped Rockets to bridge the gap to 3-2.<br /><br />Mumbai then drew level through HS Prannoy who maintained his unbeaten streak in seven matches in the tournament. He overcame a stubborn fight from Parupalli Kashyap 11-4, 8-11, 11-8. With fast-paced, attacking shots, Prannoy raced to the first game before Kashyap came into his element in the second game to level the scores. Kashyap hurt his shoulder while diving for a return in the decider but hung on. Prannoy, however, closed the match when Kashyap’s return sailed long. At 3-3, Mumbai’s hopes soared but Saemsonboonsuk stepped it up to seal it for Chennai.<br /><br />Results: Chennai Smashers bt Mumbai Rockets 4-3: (Mixed doubles (Trump match for Chennai Smashers): Chris Adcock/ Gaby Adcock bt Nipitphon Puangpuapech/ Nadiezda Zieba 11-9, 11-6. Women’s singles: PV Sindhu bt Sung Ji Hyun 11-8, 11-8, Men’s doubles: (Trump match for Mumbai Rockets): Chris Adcock/ Mads Pieler Kolding lt to Nipitphon Puangpuapech/ Lee Young Dae 10-12, 6-11, Men’s singles: Parupalli Kashyap lt to HS Prannoy 4-11, 11-8, 8-11; Tanongsak Saemsomboonsuk bt Ajay Jayaram 9-11, 11-7, 11-3).</p>
