IBL 2013: Pune Pistons beat Mumbai Masters to top points table

Lucknow: Ashwini Ponnappa and her mixed doubles partner Joachim Fischer raised their game under pressure to guide Pune Pistons to a 3-2 win over Mumbai Masters in a see-saw encounter of the inaugural Indian Badminton League here. The two teams were locked 2-2 after four matches before Ponnappa and Fischer sealed it for Pune. “It’s a happy feeling to sit on the top on the points tally table. Initially we both were not very strong but then we fought hard and won,” said Ponnappa. [caption id=“attachment_1042927” align=“aligncenter” width=“380”]  File photo of Ashwini Ponnappa. AFP[/caption] Ponnappa and Fischer defeated Pranav Chopra and Sikki Reddy 21-20 21-13 to give Pune their second consecutive victory taking them to the top of the points table. Hero of Mumbai’s win against Banga Beats, Russian Vladmir Ivanov gave his team a good start by defeating Saurabh Verma 21-16 21-14 in the first match. Saurabh failed to capitalise on a good start as Vladmir relied on his powerful smashes to outwit the Indian. In the second game, Saurabh offered resistance but Vladmir maintained his dominance and won 21-14. The next match was played between world number three Juliane Schenk of Pune and number 11 shuttler Tine Baun of Mumbai. Schenk lost the first game but came back fiercely in the second and third to beat Baun 11–21 21–10 11–7. “It was a tough win and I am happy that I maintained my speed and mental balance. She was amazing in the second round but I am happy with the outcome,” said Schenk. The third match went to Mumbai in which Vladmir once again displayed his power-game. He and his Indian partner Pranav Chopra defeated Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas of Pune by 21-12 20-21 11-9. “Me and Vladmir have played against each in the past but this was the first time that we played together. It was a very exciting experience to be on the same side of the net. I have a 2nd match to go today and hoping to go to Mumbai with another win,” said Pranav. The fourth match was played between Tien Minh Nguyen of Pune and Mumbai’s Marc Zwiebler which the former won by 21-18 21-13. The first game was tight in which at one point both teams were tied up at 18-18, but with its controlled game Pune won with a narrow margin of 21-20. After their Pune pair dominated their opponents and did not allowed them a chance to make a comeback. It won the game easily by 21-13 putting Pune on the top of table with eight points. PTI