PBL 2018 Semi-Final 2: Bengaluru Blasters vs Ahmedabad Smash Masters

The second semi-final of PBL 2018 was between the new team in town Ahmedabad Smash Masters and Bengaluru Blasters. The big names of the draw were Viktor Axelson from Blasters while Tai Tzu Ying would be spearheading the attack for the Smash Masters along with HS Prannoy.. This blog covers the second semi-final matches as it occurred.

Date: Jan 13, 2018

Venue: Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad

 

Match Highlights

1. Chong Feng v/s Sourabh Varma

The first match of the second semi-final began with a bang for Sourabh Varma as he was completely prepared and looked in good touch at

the net rallies and the smashes. The first game was easily won by Varma, but Chong came back strongly in the second game and it could have gone either way, but Chong takes the final point with a cross court smash and followed it up with a forehand winner to win the game. The decider set the tone of the semi-final as both the players upped the game but Sourabh pulled ahead with his precision game to take the final game by 15-10.

Final score ( 15-2, 14-15, 15-10) in favor of Amhedabad Smash Masters

2. Kim Sa-Rang/Mathias Boe (T) v/s Lee Reginald / K. Nandagopal

This was a trump match for the Bengaluru Blasters. The Blasters pair of Kim / Mathias started well defensively and quickly moved to a 4-0 nothing lead before Lee and Nandagopal started the recovery process. Leading into the halfway mark the blasters still maintained their lead and easily closed their first game by winning 15-13. In the second games the points were evenly matched with Lee hitting some stunning smashes (clocked at 350+kmph) to even the score 8-8 but eventually the expert pair of Kim/Mathias wield in their experience to close the second game at 15-12 and win their crucial Trump Match.

Final score ( 15-13, 15-12) in favor of Bengaluru Blasters

3. Kirsty Gilmour v/s Tai Tzu-ying (T)

This was the trump match for Ahmedabad and Tai Tzu-ying was under pressure to win their Trump encounter. The first match started off well for Kirsty and she won the first game easily (15-8), courtesy of some unforced errors from Tai. Some people might have thought of this leading to an upset and also wrapping the semi-final quickly. The second game started well for both players with long rallies and some exquisite play with both players going strong at 4-4. Tai showed some gutsy game and amazing smashed before taking the lead to 9-6. At 12-8 down Kirsty rallies back well to take the points to 12-11 before Tai Tzu gets some cross courts and down the lines to take the second game at 15-13. Tai Tzu starts the third game strongly and quickly takes a 4 point lead at 6-2 before Kirsty gets a couple of points back. But the lead is too big and eventually Kirsty makes some unforced errors due to over-correction and pressure and Tai Tzu takes the third game and teh Trump match easily for 15-8.

Final score ( 8-15, 15-13, 15-8) in favor of Ahmedabad Smash Masters

4. Viktor Axelson v/s H.S. Prannoy 

The 4th match was the super match between Axelson and Prannoy. Both the players started well and the match was quite even with the

scores level at 9-9. A couple of loose hits by Prannoy followed by a brilliant smash by Axelson got the lead in favor of Axelson with the scores reading 13-10. A couple of good rallies saw Axelson take the first game at 15-11. The second game started in a similar fashion with both the players mixing their shots and scores remaining level at 8-8 with the couple of huge smashes by Prannoy. Moving on both the players keep mixing up their shots and drops and with each taking the alternative point, the score reached to 14-14 with the eventual winner going to Axelson’s smash.

Final score ( 15-11, 15-14) in favor of  Bengaluru Blasters

5. Kim Sa-Rang / Sikki Reddy v/s Law Cheuk Him / Kamilla Juhl   

The 2nd Semi-Final all boiled down to the mixed doubles match. Kim and Sikki Reddy started the match well with both complementing the other, but Law and Juhl were quick to return the favor with some well timed shots and rallies. The scores stood level at 9-9 with each point followed by either teams scoring with the scores still level at 12-12. Here’s where Kim stepped and controlled the next couple of points and Law hitting the net gave Kim/Sikki a 2 point lead and eventually the first game was won by the Blasters at 15-12. The second

game started in a similar fashion with the scores again being leveled at 12-12. But this time the tables were turned and Sikki Reddy hits a couple of points to the net giving the Smash Masters an even chance to get to the final (15-13). The third also goes right down to the wire with neither of the teams letting go. After a 21 point rally, the scores stood at 4-3. The Blasters combination of Kim / Sikki really pushed the pedal and took a 3 point lead to make the points 10-7. Here’s where the pressure kicked in and with the pair of Law / Juhl making some forced errors, eventually Kim / Sikki won the game and match easily at 15-9 to reach into the PBL 2018 Finals.

Final score ( 15-12, 13-15, 15-9) in favor of  Bengaluru Blasters

 

Match Results

Match	Category	Hyderabad Hunters	Score	Delhi Dashers	Win
1	MS	Chong Feng	2-15, 15-14, 10-15	Sourabh Varma
2	MD	Kim Sa-rang / Mathias Boe (T)	15-13, 15-12	Reginald /  K. Nandagopal
3	WS	Kirsty Gilmour	15-8, 13-15, 8-15	Tai Tzu-ying (T)
3	MS	Viktor Axelsen	15-11, 15-14	H.S. Prannoy
2	XD	Kim Sa-rang /  Sikki Reddy	15-12, 13-15, 15-9	Law C. Him /  Kamilla Juhll

WS =Women’s Singles; MS = Men’s Singles; XD = Mixed Doubles; WD = Women’s Doubles; MD = Men’s Doubles

(T)– Trump Match

Bengaluru Blasters win 4 – 3 against  Ahmedabad Smash Masters

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