Hunters seal top spot

Hyderabad, agencies: Hyderabad Hunters trounced Bengaluru Blasters 6-(-1) to seal the top spot as the league phase of the Premier Badminton League ended on Thursday night.

It was not easy for Hyderabad as their mixed doubles pair and men's singles star B Sai Praneeth were stretched to three games before winning their respective matches.

Hyderabad take on Delhi Dashers in the first semifinal on Friday while Bengaluru, who had also qualified for the semis, will meet Ahmedabad Smash Masters on Saturday.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Pia Zebadiah Bernadet beat the Bengaluru duo of Manu Attiri and Sikki Reddy 15-6, 14-15, 15-9.

Sai Praneeth faced a tough test from Chong Wei Feng before winning 10-15, 15-7, 15-14 to make it 2-0 in favour of the Hunters.

Carolina Marin extended Hyderabad's domination with a 15 -9, 15-7 win against Kirsty Gilmour in the women's singles.

Lee Hyun Il then beat S Dey 15-11, 11-15, 15-11 in their Trump game before M Kido and Y Y Seong completed the rout beating K S Rang and M Boe 15-10, 11-15, 15-7 in Bengaluru's Trump game.