Rising shuttler P V Sindhu and K Srikanth scored impressive singles victories as Awadhe Warriors sailed into the semifinals of the Indian Badminton League with a 3-2 win over Pune Pistons, here on Monday.
Sindhu, lived up to her reputation by recording a hard-fought 21-20 21-20 win over world no.3 Juliane Schenk of Germany.
Srikanth, who recently won the prestigious Thailand Open, doubled the lead with a 21-18 21-16 win over Saurabh Verma in the men's singles.
The men's doubels pair of Marcis Kido and Mathias Boe then sealed the tie for Warriors with a tight 21-15 21-16 win over Arun Vishnu and Sanave Thomas at the GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium.
Having lost the tie after three matches, Pune side earned consolation wins in the fourth and fifth rubbers.
Tien Minh Nyugen beat RMV Guru Sai Dutt 21-12 21-18 in the second men's singles and the mixed doubles pair of Joachim Fischer and Ashwini Ponnappa defeated Markis Kido and Pia Z Bernadet 21-16 21-14 to end the day for Pune with a win.
Earlier, Sindhu and Schenk were engaged in a battle of attrition but the Hyderabadi-girl pulled off a sensational win in two close games.
"I have played against Schenk twice but this is the first time I won and am feeling really happy. Also I am thrilled and touched to see my college friends and teachers who have come here to support me," said Sindhu after her match.
Talking on his win, Srikanth said, "I had a very good start and I think this was my kind of style. Shuttle speed was much better than Bangalore which helped me to win the game.
