Delhi Acers won the first two matches, the men's doubles and men's singles. One of India's leading men's singles shuttlers, Ajay Jayaram worked his way back from a game down to get the better of Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro to keep Delhi in the hunt.
Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia won his trump match, the last of the tie, against Frenchman Brice Leverdez of Chennai Smashers to guide Delhi Acers into the final of the Premier Badminton League.
At the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday night, Sugiarto posted his fifth successive win in the league, defeating Leverdez 15-11 15-14.
When Sugiarto and Leverdez entered the court, Chennai Smashers had a lead of 3-2, courtesy two crucial points by PV Sindhu, who won her trump match against fellow Indian, PC Thulasi, 15-6 15-7 in just over half-an-hour. The only way Chennai could have made it to the final was for Leverdez to upset Sugiarto. But that was not to be.
Delhi Acers won the first two matches, the men's doubles and men's singles. One of India's leading men's singles shuttlers, Ajay Jayaram worked his way back from a game down to get the better of Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro to keep Delhi in the hunt.
Chennai pulled one back when their mixed doubles pair of Chris Adcock and Pia Zebadiah gave them their first point. England's Chris, who was up against his wife Gabrielle Adcock and Kien, won in straight games before women's singles world No. 12 Sindhu continued her winning ways, posting her sixth successive victory in the league.
When the last match of the first semifinal began, Leverdez raced to a 3-0 lead. Sugiarto thereafter won five straight points and never looked back.
Delhi await the winners of Friday's second semifinal between Mumbai Rockets and Awadhe Warriors that will be played in Hyderabad.
The final is scheduled in Delhi on Sunday.
Results:
Delhi Acers bt Chennai Smashers (MD: Koo Keat Kien/ Tan Boon Heong bt Chris Adcock/ Pranaav Chopra 15-10 15-14; MS: Ajay Jayaram bt Sony Dwi Kuncoro 14-15 15-10 15-7; XD: Koo Keat Kien/ Gabrielle Adcock lost to Chris Adcock/ Pia Zebadiah 9-15 14-15; WS: PC Thulasi lost PV Sindhu (TRUMP) 6-15 7-15; MS: Tommy Sugiarto (TRUMP) bt Brice Leverdez 15-11 15-14)
Net points: Delhi Acers 4, Chennai Smashers 3
PLAYING TODAY
Semifinal 2, Mumbai Rockets vs Awadhe Warriors in Hyderabad
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