The P V Sindhu-spearheaded Awadhe Warriors today inched a step closer to the semifinal spot after they defeated Mumbai Masters 3-2 in the inaugural Indian Badminton League here tonight.
The contest between the two teams was close till the fourth match of the tie, but the mixed doubles pair of M Kido-Pia Bernadeth of Warriors finally brought cheers for their fans as they defeated Masters Ivanov Vladimir and Siki Reddy 21-19, 21-15 in the decider.
After this win, Warriors are placed at fourth on the table with twelve points from two wins and two loses in four ties.
They will next play the second-placed Pune Pistons on August 26 in Hyderabad. Though Masters lost the tie, they are placed third on the points table with fifteen points in five ties with two wins and three loses.
Rising shuttlers PV Sindhu and Vladimir Ivanoh won their respective singles matches as Masters and Warriors were tied at 1-1.
The tall Russian, who has been in good form in the mixed doubles so far with his team-mate Sikki Reddy, started the proceedings for the Masters.
Ivanoh rode on his powerful smashes and better placements to tame Gurusaudutt 21-18, 21-20, 11-9 in the first men's singles match to give Masters a 1-0 lead over Warriors.
Sindhu then prevailed over Tine Baun 21-12, 19-21, 11-8 in the women's singles match to guide Warriors to level the tie 1-1.
In the third match, Markis Kido and Mathias Boe kept the hopes alive for the Warriors with a 21-16, 21-14 victory over Masters B Sumeet Reddy and Manu Attri in the men's doubles competition to give their side a 2-1 lead in the tie.
Masters came back strongly with their iconic player Lee Chong Wei dismantling the talented Warriors youngster K Srikanth 21-15, 20-21, 11-5 in the second men's singles match, which helped the team to equalise at 2-2.
Mixed doubles pair of Kido and Bernadeth finally brought cheers for Warriors fans as they defeated Masters Ivanov Vladimir and Siki Reddy 21-19, 21-15 in the fifth and final match, outwitting Masters 3-2 in the tie.
