pbl-2018-hyderabad-hunters-vs-ahmedabad-smash-masters-live

Just as they did in the first match of the PBL, Ahmedabad have secured a win by a margin of 4-3 only this time its against a Marin-less Hunters side. They look like they could seriously challenge for the title if they can sort out their doubles' woes. 

Juhl and Lee appear to have formed some sort of the partnership while Tai and Prannoy look invincible. We might be in for a real treat if this team can keep up with the level of performance we have seen thusfar

No they can't!!! Both teams win their respective trump matches but there can only be one winner today. 

Yet another great serve. It is absolutely insane the number of reactive serves we have seen today. The Hunters bring up their match point. Can the Masters fight back?

After the Hunters make it a two point game, Lee comes up with a big smash to stay close in the game. But the Masters' star hits his next one straight into the net. 

Brilliant brilliant play. One of the best rallies of the game. However, the end is quite anti-climatic. The winner is there for the taking but Seong hits it long. Marin can't believe it.

The Masters are in no mood to lie down. They win two out of the three points to make it a two-point game again.

Ahmedabad need to finish off their chances and especially big points. Instead of being level, they are now two points behind again.

THREE STRAIGHT POINTS FOR THE MASTERS. Can they launch a comeback now and close out the game?

Nandgopal is getting into the zone again. He needs to because Kido and Seong are in no mood to mess around. Yet another Seong smash takes the Hunters into the break with a four-point lead.

They seemed to have heard us. Nandgopal doing what he did for most parts of the first game. Good quick hands wins them three of the four net points. Its a four-point game now.

Kido joinging the act now. This is getting embarassing for the Masters. SIX in a row. Ahmedabad need to sort out their mess quickly.

Seong now coming into his own. After defending for most parts of the first game, the Korean is now showing his attacking insticts. Two smashes, the second one at 365 kmph, wins them two quick points. 

oh what a rally. Both sides are forced to defend in the game and it is an error that results in the Hunters taking the game. A rush of blood to the head sees the Indian hitting the shuttle long.

Nandgopal judges the drop perfectly to bring up game point, but in the next rally he hits his drive marginally long to give the Hunters a lifeline. Next point wins.

Oh what has happened there!! Seong sees Nandgopal is ready to pounce on a serve and serves it long. The Indian is stranded at the net. 

Kido shows his class now. Just as it looked like Ahmedabad were looking threatening, Kido comes up with a winner.

After spilting two points down the middle, the Masters take the lead through Nandgopal again. What a player he is turning out to be. He has actually looked better than Lee in this game so far and that is saying a lot. 

Brilliant brilliant play by Nandgopal. Three quick shots by the youngster ends with the last one hitting the floor. He then reacts to Kido's return, to a Lee smash, with one of his own to level things up.

Lee and Nandgopal look to be in complete control of the match. However, after winning five points in a row, the Hunters are now favorites.

Seong joins the party but a fast return and Lee can't get his racquet to the shuttle. And he serves two great serves to take the lead and head into the break with a 2 point advantage,.

Oh what a shot. A great smash by Lee extends the lead to 2. He follows it up by attacking the net and forcing the error. Great start by Ahmedabad.

We haven't seen any point going past the 10 shot mark yet. Nandgopal is begining to show that he is not a passenger with two back to back winners to take the lead.

kido returns the favour with a quick winner of his own. What a start to the game.

Kido starts us off, but it is Lee who wins the first one with a great return. 

Lee lost both his matches against North Eastern Warriors and looked to be going 3 -0 but a great comeback earned him his first ever win in the PBL. Can he make his over records 2-2?

Kidambi Nandgopal and Lee Reginald will take on Markis Kido and Yoo Yeon Seong in the final match of the night. This one is a Trump match for the Hunters and a chance to restore some pride after losing the tie in four games. 

Absolute domination by the Smash Masters. Two games played, two games won. Not just that but they have also been able to wrap up both matches in just four games.

Winning is a habit, and HS Prannoy knows how to maintain it! ✌️#VodafonePBL #AMDvHYD #SmashTheHouseDown pic.twitter.com/xbQEOKNK4X

— PBL India (@PBLIndiaLive) December 29, 2017

Prannoy is all set to make it 9 in a row then. What a brilliant performance today. Ahmedabad would be more than happy securing two points from the game today. 

Ahmedabad with a 4-1 lead in the game as Prannoy beats his compatriot and mate 15-10, 15-8 in the fourth match of the tie. 

Another unforced error by Praneeth gives Pronnoy a point before Sai secures a point of his own through a push shot. Oh wow. Prannoy with a 380 kmph service return winner to make a comeback in a bang. Five point game now.

WHAT A RALLY. 36 shots. In the end it's Prannoy who comes out on top after faking a smash and hitting a drop winnner. Rally of the day. 

Again Praneeth gets his length wrong and Prannoy benefits from an easy shot. However the former hits a fierce smash to keep his opponent at arm's length.

Prannoy enters the mid-game interval with an 8-5 lead. A drop shot falls on the forecourt of Sai to give him a point.   

Prannoy racing away with the lead. 6-3 now. Praneeth needs to check his unforced errors if he wants to give his compatriot a challenge. But hang on. The former hits it wrong to give a point to the latter.  

The two mates are not giving an inch to the other, but Prannoy is clearly the best today. A brilliant 383 kmph smash gives him a 4-2 lead.

Prannoy hits the shuttle wide of the court to give Sai his first point. Sai again returns with another wide to level par. Oh he goes for challenge. Point for Prannoy after the technology sides with the Masters' star. 

The first game goes to Prannoy. Ahmedabad can breathe easy now. Their Trump match is still alive.... After initial hiccups, it seemed like it would be a difficult task for him to stage a comeback, but he surprises all and sundry to win the game 15-10.

Another point for Prannoy. Game point. 

Wonderful judgement by Prannoy. He is leaving the shuttle when he feels it's not in play. More often than not, it's proving to be the right decision. But HE IS getting tough competition from Sai, who fails to hit winners despite being competitive. Four-point game now.

Unforced error by Sai as he hits it long that hands Prannoy a point. But Sai hits a smash that the Ahmedabad ace fails to pick up.. But he returns with a point of his own as the game levels at 9-9.   

Sai builds on the momentum to secure another two points as Prannoy doesn't look so convincing. Sai enters the break with a two-point lead now.. Can Prannoy makes a comeback?  

Sai is making a comeback and how! Prannoy's two unforced errors and the failure to execute the cross-court smash to perfection, helped Sai big time. The game is level at 6-6 now. 

OH dear.. Sai doesn't seem like he wants to go in to the attack zone now and taking the advantage of that Prannoy wins two more points. Brilliant atatcking instinct shown by the Masters' player. SIX in a row for him.

1⃣5⃣-5⃣, 1⃣5⃣-6⃣

That was 💪👊🔥 by Tai Tzu Ying as she takes Ahmedabad Smash Masters 2-1 ahead in the tie.

A valiant effort by Rasika Raje.#VodafonePBL #AMDvHYD #SmashTheHouseDown pic.twitter.com/Th3043s11w

— PBL India (@PBLIndiaLive) December 29, 2017

Prannoy secures the next two points with brilliant down the line smashes. Praneeth seems clueless about how to return the shuttle. Superb by Prannoy. He has started just as he ended against Wang.

First point for Prannoy. Oh he makes it two. Praneeth feels the shuttle will land outside but it lands on the line. Good reply by Prannoy.

Praneeth to serve and he wins two points to get going. The second one a drop shot and Pranny fails to return... 

This is going to be the Trump match for the Ahmedabad franchise. Remember, Prannoy got the better of Wang Tzu-Wei in straight games in the last match. But this is not going to be easier. As much as the match is about securing two points for the team, it will also be about grabbing the bragging rights.

For all the promise, Prannoy is still an unfulfilled talent while Sai Praneeth defeated Kidambi Srikanth in the Singapore Open to win his first Superseries title. BUT CAN Prannoy today prove that he has it in him to be an international winner. 

Remember he has the ongoing record of most number of consecutive wins in the PBL.

Tai 15 - 6 Raje

She needs just one to seal the match. Second match in a row that Tai has absolutely decimated her opponent. It's a shame that Marin was unwell today. This could have been a great game.

Well what do you know. She wins two of the next three points. But Tai has 8 Game points. 

Normal serviece has been resumed. Five points at a stretch for the Masters' star. raje wants to change her racquet. Maybe this one cane get her some luck.

Two points in a row for Raje. Uncharateristic errors from the World Number 1. She can't clear the net before hitting a down the line smash wide.

Three points on the spin puts Tai in a comfortable position going into the break. 

A wrong service by Tai is followed by a wide smash by the Taiwanese. She doesn't look like she has broken a sweat here. Raje is trying her best but it's just not good enough right now.

And just like that it's 4-0. And yet again it is a net point. She is trying to be perfect at the net because a small error results in a winner from the other side. Tough game for the young Indian.

Another unforced error at the net by Raje. She is struggling to keep up with tai at the net, where she loses another point.

Tai follows up the Raje smash with three quick points to take the game. However, it has to be said that most of the points were gifted away by the Indian. She just needs to calm down and play the game and not the occasion.

15-5

Tai Tzu Ying wins the first game in dominating fashion!

Rasika Raje needs to soak up all the knowledge from the first defeat in that game.#VodafonePBL #AMDvHYD #SmashTheHouseDown

— PBL India (@PBLIndiaLive) December 29, 2017

WHAT A SHOT BY RAJE. AN inside out smash leaves Tai with no answer. Can she keep it up though? Looks unlikely.

Raje is trying to fight back. Great work by the Indian. She has nothing to lose now. SEVEN POINTS NOW. 

This is just too easy for the World Number 1. Raje hits one long. Yet again. Some great deception hands Tai her biggest lead of the night. EIGHT POINT GAME NOW!!

Tai enters the break with a six point lead. Raje looks lost here. 

Tai makes an error on judgement and raje earns another point. The Taiwanese is quick to hit an inch perfect cross court drop to restroe the five point lead. 

Oh my word!! What deception by Tai. Even the stranded Raje can't help but smile. 

RAJE WINS A POINT. THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!

The pressure is getting to Raje here. She can't clear the net after hitting one too long. This could be done early.

Wonderful deception at the net by Tai is followed by a cross court smash. 2-0 already.

Raje to start us off here.

What a day for the PBL debutant though! Not many players can ever claim to have made their debut in a league against one of the greatest ever to have picked up a badminton racquet.

Tai Tzu Ying time now. The World number 1 will take on Rasika Raje in her second PBL game. The first one was a complete annihilation of Michelle Li earlier this week. Can she make it two in a row? Big ask for Raje to get a point in this match.

And it's the end...

Lee with the game. Lee's experience gets the better of former Indian national champion. Lee's backhand slice was failed to pick up by Sourabh as Hyderabad make it 1-1 in the evening. The next match has become more significant now.

1⃣5⃣-9⃣, 1⃣5⃣-1⃣1⃣

A dominating performace by Lee Hyun to defeat Sourabh Verma!

With his win, the Hyderabad Hunters have levelled affairs with Ahmedabad Smash Masters.#VodafonePBL #AMDvHYD #SmashTheHouseDown pic.twitter.com/yK0HbGyqnq

— PBL India (@PBLIndiaLive) December 29, 2017

Most of the points that Sourabh won this evening can be attributed to Lee's exhaustiveness. Sourabh will take that though. Although Lee needs only two points to win the match, the Indian comes back to secure next two points. Hope, as they say, never dies. 

Can Sourabh make a comeback in the match? For me, it seems unlikely. As I type this, Lee proves me correct. Error on the net by the Indian. Then a superb smash and Hyderabad is closing in on to register their first victory in the evening. 

Sourabh Verma with a renewed source of energy!

He is coming back strong in the second.#VodafonePBL #AMDvHYD #SmashTheHouseDown

— PBL India (@PBLIndiaLive) December 29, 2017

Sourabh looks like he doesn't have energy left in the tank. He wins the next two points, but maintain his momentum as Lee secures one more point to make the game a two-point one once again.

The Korean fights back with two quick points to head into the break with a two point lead.

Great comeack from the Indian. The second point he lets the shuttle drop in a last second decision. As it ius called out, Sourabh yells out. Two point game.

The Korean wins another point with a superb cross-court smash. And then then... Sourabh looks exhausted. Ahmedabad will not like it. Lee is literally running away with the game as Lee is leading the second game 6-2

Lee with the lead once again. An error in judgment from Verma means Lee draws the first blood. However, Sourabh secures his first point as Lee hits the shuttle out of play.

Sourabh failed to return a Lee smash as the Korean wins the first game. Clearly, the Indian was not at his best. The gulf in quality clearly told but Sourabh needs to bring back his best to prove the world wrong. Redemption on the way...

The next point goes to Lee before the Indian pulls one back to make it 13-9. 

The duo shares the next two points on offer. Lee's backhand unforced error again gives Sourabh a point. 

Lee's smash hits the net to hand the Hyderabad lad a point. In fact, two. It was the same mistake that cost Lee the match in Denmark Open finals. But anyways, he stilll has a lead of 12-6.

Two consecutive errors by the Korean hands Sourabh two points. But Lee makes up for it. A superb smash to make it 10-4.

Another point in the bag for Lee. Sourabh seems to be struggling to understand Lee's tactics. He was good when Lee goes slow, but he has no reply to counter the latter's attacking smashes. We head into the break with Lee leading 8-2.

WOW. The Korean is killing it here in Delhi. He is as brilliant with his smashes as he is with his down the line drives. Sourabh needs to pull up his socks now if he wants to earn his team some points.

Sourabh has started on a pretty attacking fashion. Lee is not also replying well and races away with a 4-2 lead through unforced errors.

So Lee to serve and he bags the first point in effortless manner. But Sourabh instantly levels things up with a brilliant smash that the Korean was simply unable to return.

4⃣-1⃣5⃣, 1⃣5⃣-1⃣2⃣, 1⃣5⃣-8⃣

A strong comeback by Kamilla Ryter Juhl & Lee Reginald to beat Satwiksairaj & Pia Zebadiah after losing the first game.

Ahmedabad Smash Masters with an early lead in the tie.#VodafonePBL #AMDvHYD #SmashTheHouseDown pic.twitter.com/bhg8y5d3jr

— PBL India (@PBLIndiaLive) December 29, 2017

Can Ahmedabad extend their lead? Sourabh Verma will answer that in some time? But he will be up against one of the best Korean players - Lee Hyun-il. This is not going to be an easy affair for the Indian shuttler. But the way he got the better of Pratul Joshi in the last match against North Eastern Warriors, I will reserve my comments. 

Juhl/Lee 15 - 8 Bernadeth/Rankireddy

After a brilliant performance in the game, Rankireddy serves wide. What an anti climax.

Hang on!! After Juhl brings up game point, the Hunters have taken two points in a row. Can they stage an unlikely comeback?

The Hunters finally win a point, but it appears it's too little too late as the Masters are just two points away from the first point.

It's one-way traffic now!! Juhl is back to her very best and so is Lee. two in a row. Oh, wait, scratch that. It is three now. 

Oh how unlucky was that??? Juhl's push comes off the tape and leaves Bernadeth stranded at the T. 

Great reaction by Juhl. The Hunters were looking dangerous and appeared to be coming back into the game but the experienced Dane is able to fend off two shots to take her team into the break with a three-point lead.

Whether it's pressure on the Hunters or just the experience of the Masters, but Lee and Juhl now have a three-point lead.

Bernadeth places the shot well wide of Juhl and Lee to hand her team the lead but is then hit by a monster smash by Ruhl to level the game again.

But the Masters fight back to level the decider. The second point is a brilliant smash by Lee. 

Quick start again by the Hunters. This is becoming a character trait now. 2-0 again.

AND IT'S 1-1

Great rally. Juhl and Lee defend deep but manage to convert their game point. GAME ON!!!

This is getting away from them now. The Masters are looking sharp now and the Hunters look to be crumbling under pressure. GAME POINT!

An intense second game!

Nothing seperates both the teams at the moment.#VodafonePBL #AMDvHYD #SmashTheHouseDown

— PBL India (@PBLIndiaLive) December 29, 2017