Sung Ji Hyun and H.S Prannoy powered Mumbai Rockets to a thumping 3- (-1) win over Hyderabad Hunters to cruise into the finals of the Vodafone Premier Badminton League Season 2, powered by Maruti Suzuki at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium here today.
Starting the tie, it was the women’s single clash between Carolina Marin of Hunters and Sung Ji Hyun of Mumbai Rockets. Playing in her trump match, Marin made a confident start to the match to set the ball rolling for her team. She won the opening game 11-6 and it looked the Hunters’ player would have it rather easy and would not have to lose much sweat in the second game.
But Sung Ji was a different player altogether in the next game and attacked from the onset and dominated her opponent out and out to win 11-6. In the decider, Sung Ji continued her good run and despite some few intense moments finally prevailed to win 11-5 to make it 1 – (-1) in favour of Rockets. The win not only kick-started Mumbai’s campaign on a thumping note but also made it two wins on the trot for Sung Ji over Marin in the league.
In the second match, H.S Prannoy of Rockets beat Sameer Verma to not only put the tie to sleep but also extend his winning streak to six in the league.
A lot was riding on Prannoy in the match as it was his trump match and a win would put the tie beyond Hunters’ reach. And as expected Prannoy did not fail to live up to the expectations of his team who entrusted him with the crucial trump match.
He won the first game 11-8 to take upper hand in the match. In the second game, Sameer tried to put up a strong fight but Prannoy held on to his nerve to win the game 15-13 to seal the game and the match.
They now will face Chennai Smashers who won the first semi final of the day in the grand finale .