PBL: Delhi gunning to hunt down Hyderabad today

Hyderabad Hunters, the only unbeaten team among the six contenders for top honours in the Premier Badminton League (PBL), will clash today with Delhi Acers, in the first of the latter's two ties in their home town before all teams converge on Hyderabad over the weekend

New Delhi: Hyderabad Hunters, the only unbeaten team among the six contenders for top honours in the Premier Badminton League (PBL), will clash today with Delhi Acers, in the first of the latter's two ties in their home town before all teams converge on Hyderabad over the weekend.

The Acers suffered the heart-break of losing their tie against Chennai Smashers 4-3, thanks to a single-point loss in the crucial mixed doubles match after both sides touched match-point 14-all in the third game, and had to be separated by the sudden-death "decider point".

Winless Delhi will hence be anxious to notch up their first tie victory, but it will not be all that easy; and a huge amount will depend on the judicious use of their trump card.

True, both their men's singles exponents, Ajay Jayaram and Tommy Sugiarto, appear to be in sparkling form, with the former scoring a terrific maiden win in five meetings with Indonesian Simon Santoso, and the latter winning both the matches he was called upon to play, including a trump clash against Frenchman Brice Leverdez.

Today, even more sterling opposition awaits Jayaram and Sugiarto, with a rested and refreshed Lee Chong Wei raring to prove that his loss to Kidambi Srikanth was a flash in the pan, and P Kashyap keen on maintaining good form in the course of his march towards Rio qualification. The Acers have an edge in the women's singles, when PC Thulasi takes on S Katethong.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!