PBL 2018 | Carolina Marin inspires Hyderabad Hunters to victory over North East Warriors

12/25/2017

Carolina Marin showcased a splendid performance in the Trump match as Hyderabad Hunters beat North East Warriors without breaking a sweat in their campaign opener on Sunday. The Hunters took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match tie at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Stadium in Guwahati.

The Hyderabad-based franchise won their men’s doubles, men’s singles, and women’s singles matches as the North East Warriors failed to deliver the knockout blow despite taking the tie deep. The Hunters men’s doubles pair of Markis Kido and Yoo Yeon Seong overcame a resolute Kim Gi Jung and Shin Baek Cheol 15-10, 13-15, 15-13 to give the team their first point. The South Korean duo put up a wonderful fight but the experience of Kido and Seong had the last laugh.

In the second match of the tie, surprisingly, Lee Hyun Il caused an upset by defeating Ajay Jayaram 15-13, 11-15, 15-6 in the men’s singles match. Jayaram earlier had a 3-0 advantage against the Korean and lived up to the billing by racing to a 6-0 lead in the first game. However, Lee Hyun made a roaring comeback suddenly and secured the first game 15-13. Although the Indian bounced back in the second and forced the contest into a decider, Lee Hyun closed out the match with a dominant display.

Hunters used their Trump card on Rio Olympics Gold medalist Marin and the Spaniard also justified the faith by getting the better of Michelle Li 15-9, 15-11 and the victory fetched them two points. After three matches, they had garnered four points while the Warriors were yet to open their account.

Results:Men’s doubles: Markis Kido/Yoo Yeon Seong bt Kim Gi Jung/ Shin Baek Cheol 15-10, 13-15, 15-13.

Men’s singles: Lee Hyun Il bt AjayJayaram 15-13,11-15, 15-6.

Women’s singles: Carolina Marin bt Michelle Li 15-9,15-11.