IBL 2013 as it happened: Ponnappa leads Pune to opening win

Pune Pistons win the first tie 3-2 against Delhi Smashers. PUNE’s PONNAPPA/FISCHER beat JWALA/KOO 21-19, 16-21, 11-3. 0030 IST: 3rd Game - Ponnappa/Fischer 11-3 Jwala/Koo: They never looked like losing, did they? Fischer and Ponnappa tremendous in this third game — showing pure power and getting their points. Fischer’s smashes too much for their opponents and Ponnappa’s support at the net was excellent. Jwala and Koo, who may have slightly taken this game lightly, didn’t have an answer. 0015 IST: 2nd Game - Jwala/Koo 21-16 Ponnappa/Fischer: Unforced errors, lots of them from Ponnappa! She was very focused in the first game but slightly lost her way in the 2nd. Koo and Jwala have grown in understanding and have been fantastic at the net, playing subtle flicks to deceive their opponents. This one’s going down to the wire. 2355 IST: 1st Game - Ponnappa/Fischer 21-19 Jwala/Koo: This is what you call a cracking game of badminton. Ponnappa and Fischer were clearly on top in the early exchanges, the former taking the 1st point with a bullet of a smash. But Jwala and Koo came back strong and led till 19-18. However, Ponnappa and her partner mustered up, equalised at 19-19 and then took the last two points. Jwala’s lost her cool a bit right now. Jwala/Koo vs Ponnappa/Nielsen will play for the match now. PUNE’s VERMA beat PRANNOY 21-16, 19-21, 11-6 2325 IST: 3rd Game - Verma 11-6 Prannoy: Top quality from Verma… he never looked like losing this — storming to a 6-0 lead and sealing the match mentally then and there. Five points later, he’s brought Pune back into the match and the opening day of IBL sees a best of five match featuring Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa in opposite teams. 2315 IST: 2nd Game - HS Prannoy 21-19 Verma: Super stuff from Prannoy. This was a much closer match, where it was all about focus. Prannoy hardly gave Verma a lead worth capitalising on, and then moved ahead himself. It was 13-11 at one stage but Prannoy pulled it to 17-17 before taking lead and eventually winning 21-19. Particularly pleasing to the eye was a stinging smash that Verma couldn’t even see. 2250 IST: 1st Game - Sourabh Verma 21-16 HS Prannoy: Prannoy said before the match that this was going to be a ‘practice match’ for him, given that he and Verma play so often during practice. However, it seems he took it slightly lightly, at least at the death, allowing his friend to exploit his lack of movement. Verma much more accomplished covering the whole court and excellent in defending the taller Prannoy’s smashes. DELHI’s TAN/KOO beat KUMAR/THOMAS 21-13, 21-16 2220 IST: 2nd Game - Boon Hoeng tan/Kien Keat Koo 21-16 Rupesh Kumar/Sanave Thomas: Closer than the first game as Kumar and Thomas found their rhythm, but it came slightly late as Tan/Koo had already built a healthy lead and foundation to win the game. Jwala Gutta was in the commentary box during the match and said, “I’m very confident (of winning),”… and why not? Delhi are now 2-1 up against Pune. 2150 IST: 1st Game - Boon Hoeng tan/Kien Keat Koo 21-13 Rupesh Kumar/Sanave Thomas: It was initially close, but Tan/Koo grew in confidence through the game and eventually won it. After a point, it was no competition for Rupesh and Thomas against their opponents, who had better movement and superior judgement. PUNE’s SCHENK beats JINDAPON 21-15, 21-6 2130 IST: 2nd Game - Schenk 21-6 Jindapon: Jindapon almost gave up after the first few points as Schenk simply steamrolled her. The German asserting early in the tournament why she’s world No 2 and it’ll be intriguing to see her go against more illustrious opponents in the future matches. Very few highlights in this game, with Jindapon getting clumsier as it neared the end, but Schenk’s placement is simply superb. 2115 IST: 1st Game - Schenk 21-15 Jindapon: Apart from a mini fightback from Jindapon, Schenk reined supreme against her Thai opponent. If Pune take this game then each team will have won a game each. Must be said Schenk’s strength has been those lovely disguised smashes which just land within the half court. Jindapon has the fight in her, but the difference in quality was too obvious at times. 2100 IST: It’s world No 2 Juliane Schenk vs world no 15 Jindapon now. DELHI’s SAI PRANEETH beats NGUYEN TIEN MINH 21-16, 21-20 2050 IST - 2nd game Praneeth 21-20 Nguyen: Unbelievable stuff. Simply top class from Praneeth. In a see-saw game which saw each player take turns to lead, Praneeth finally trumps Nguyen with 21-20 to take the match 21-16, 21-20. Remember, in the IBL, a player doesn’t need a two-point lead to win a match — first to 21 wins. What a start to the IBL… the organisers couldn’t have asked for more. 2030 IST - 1st game: Praneeth 21-16 Nguyen: Phenomenal stuff from young Praneeth. He’s played some brilliant attacking shots against the world No 7 and wins the first game with a cracking smash. Nguyen had fought back from a 5-point gap to take the lead 14-13, but Praneeth didn’t budge and grabbed the game by the scruff as soon as he was back in the lead at 17-15. Great start for Delhi. 2005 IST: The first match is going to be between Sai Praneeth (Delhi) and Nguyen Tien Minh. 1955 IST: Jwala Gutta has walked out, leading the Delhi contingent, and she’s also made a fashion statement by wearing geeky glasses. The visitors Pune have also come out, world No 2 Schenk with a stern expression. 1945 IST: Quite a healthy crowd can be seen at Delhi for the opening match. P Gopichand full of excitement talking on the sidelines to the anchor as today’s big match gets played up — Ponnappa vs Gutta. 1935 IST: So, what is the Indian Badminton League about? Read the A to Z of the million dollar league here . Preview: They may be reuniting after the Indian Badminton League, but Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta will face-off in opposite teams in the opening match of the first edition of the tournament. [caption id=“attachment_1033961” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Jwala Gutta is Delhi’s icon player. Reuters[/caption] Krrish Delhi Smashers and Pune Pistons play at the DDA Badminton and Squash Stadium. The opening ceremony saw singer Mika Singh woo the crowds along with Neeti Mohan and other stars. Krrish Delhi Smashers Lineup: Jwala Gutta, Wong Wing Ki, H. S. Prannoy, Sai Praneeth, Arundhati Pantawane, Boon Heong Tan (Malaysia), Kien Keat Koo (Malaysia), V. Diju, Nichaon Jindapon (Thailand), Prajakta Sawant. Pune Pistons Lineup: Ashwini Ponnappa, Nguyen Tien Minh (Vietnam), Saurabh Verma, Anup Sridhar, Juliane Schenk (Germany), Joachiam Fischer Nielsen, Sanave Thomas, Arun Vishnu, Tan Wee Kiong (Malaysia), Rupesh Kumar K. T.