Hyderabad Hotshots thrashed Pune Pistons by 3-0 in the first semi-final of Indian Badminton League (IBL) played at Hyderabad on Wednesday. With this win Hyderabad Hotshots have reached the final of IBL.
Hyderabad Hotshots will play the winner of the second semi-final between Mumbai Masters and Awadhe Warriors in Mumbai on Sunday.
Ajay Jayaram gave the home side a 1-0 lead at the Gachibowli Stadium as he pulled off a surprising victory over top-ranked Tien Minh Nyugen 21-17, 21-11 in the first match.
Saina Nehwal then survived some anxious moments before beating her arch-rival Juliane Schenk 21-10, 19-21, 11-8 in a tight contest. The win gave Hyderabad Hotshots a crucial 2-0 lead.
The men's doubles pair of V. Shem Goh and Wah Kim Lin then finished off the contest as they beat Joachim Fischer and Sanave Thomas 21-10, 19-21, 11-8.
In a post-match interview Sania said, "I lost my focus in the 2nd game and was unable to retrieve few shots. Schenk also changed her shots little bit which became quite dangerous. But I just thought about winning for a few seconds and got myself back in action to win the match".
(with inputs from IANS)
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