Rising shuttler P V Sindhu of Awadhe Warriors stamped her class over experienced Tine Baun of Mumbai Masters in a three-game thriller in the inaugural Indian Badminton League (IBL) here tonight.
Sindhu prevailed over Baun 21-12, 19-21, 11-8 in the women's singles match to level the tie 1-1 after Vladimir Ivanov had given Mumbai Masters a 1-0 lead by defeating R M V Gurusaidutt.
The tall Russian Ivanov rode on his powerful smashes and better placements to tame Gurusaidutt 21-18, 20-21, 11-9 in the first men's singles match.
Ivanov was leading in the first game 7-4 at the first break but Gurusaidutt turned the tables and gave a tough fight to the Russian and brought to level terms at 12-all. Ivanov, however, clawed back to take 20-18 lead and pocketed the next points to grab the first game 21-18.
In the second game, Gurusaidutt played an attacking game and opened up a 12-7 lead at the first break but Ivanov made it 19-all with some attacking strokeplay. Ivanov fought back brilliantly but the Indian was able to keep his nose ahead and clinched the nail-biting second game 21-20.
In the third match, Ivanov was trailing three points behind Gurusaidutt at 3-6, but Ivanov kept breathing down the Indian's neck by winning three straight points. A couple of unforced errors and a bad judgement by Gurusaidutt cost him the match to the Russian 11-9.
In the women's singles match, the reputation of Baun did not matter as bronze medalist at World Championships Sindhu went about her business with ease and comfortably won the the first game 21-12 with a cross court push.
In the second game, Sindhu maintained her composure and was ahead at the first break 7-5. Baun clawed her way back but Sindhu stuck on for a slight lead at 14-12 after the second break. Baun, however, fought back to take the second game 21-19, levelling the match at 1-1.
Baun brought her depth of experience and went ahead of Sindhu 6-5 in the only break in the decider. However, Sindhu prevailed over Tine after she displayed a great game to win 11-8 and thus keeping Warriors in the hunt. Sindhu won 21-12, 19-21.
