The first semi-final of PBL 2018 was between the home crowd favorite Hyderabad Hunters v/s Delhi Dashers. Carolina Marin was always the favorite to win her trump contest and and this was a strategy battle between Marin and Ivanov and would be decided in the Trump matches. This blog covers the first semi-final matches as it occurred.
Date: Jan 12, 2018
Venue: Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad
Match Highlights
1. Sai Raj / Bernadeth v/s Ivanov/Ponappa
In the first mixed doubles encounter between the two teams the Delhi team with the captain Ivanov along with Ashwini was always the 
favorites to win. Though in front of a partisan Hyderabadi crowd the home team combination of Raj and Bernadeth started well by winning the first game with a slim margin. Going into the 2nd game the Delhi team looked visibly charged up and with the big smashes of Ivanov landing in, they got through the 2nd game and eventually the momentum carried on to the third game also. The rallies got longer in the 3rd game with both the teams returning smashes but the combination of Ivanov and Ashwini eventually got the better of the Hyderabad Hunters team.
Final score ( 15-13, 10-15, 10-15) in favor of Delhi Dashers
2. Sai Praneeth v/s Tian Houwei (T)
This was a trump match for the Delhi Dashers but the body language of both the players were contrasting to the very nature of the conflict. Tian was unsure on how to proceed with this important encounter while Praneeth was charged up and wanted to win this match. Tian Houwei couldn’t settle into any rhythm and looked out of sorts while Praneeth used his energy to win the rallies. In the end it was a easy win for the Hunters and a charged Sai Praneeth could be seen throwing his racquet and exulting his win.
Final score ( 15-9, 15-8) in favor of Hyderabad Hunters
3. Carolina Marin v/s Jung Hi-kyun (T)
This was the trump match for Hyderabad and Jung Hi-kyun was always under pressure as Delhi had lost their trump match earlier. This was do or die situation which needed some excellent skills and tactics to beat the Spaniard. Carolina Marin as always was the crowd favorite and a crowd puller in Hyderabad and she started off in her classic style by missing out on some easy net rallies and some easy long shots. Jung was always right on sport and played a very good first game without making any errors , the first game was won easily by her 15- 12.
Marin came out all guns blazing and the 2nd and 3rd game was a pure treat to watch. Jung tried her best and used all her guile but Marin was not letting go. It was exquisite to see that when the chips are down, Marin was focused and at her very best. She was all around the court, taking the drop shots, smashes and long rallies . At one point during the third game Jung Hi-kyun had a wry smile on her face when she saw Marin anticipate her every move and take all the winning shots. That summed up the day for Hyderabad Hunters and Marin played a captain’s innings and finished off the semi-final in style by wining the 2nd and 3rd games.
Final score ( 12-15, 15-11, 15-9) in favor of Hyderabad Hunters
Match Results
| Match | Category | Hyderabad Hunters | Score | Delhi Dashers | Win |
| 1 | XD | Sai Raj / Pia Bernadeth | 15-13, 10-15, 10-15 | Vladimir Ivanov / Ashwini Ponappa |  |
| 2 | MS | Sai Praneeth | 15-9, 15-8 | Tian Houwei (T) |  |
| 3 | WS | Carolina Marin (T) | 12-15, 15-11, 15-9 | Sung Ji Hyun | |
WS =Women’s Singles; MS = Men’s Singles; XD = Mixed Doubles; WD = Women’s Doubles; MD = Men’s Doubles
(T)– Trump Match