Reportedly, Hyderabad Hotshots with their two points topped the table while even after winning by 3-2, the Banga Beats ended up sixth and last in the Indian Badminton League (IBL) points standings.
It has emerged that the Hotshots are the table toppers with 17 points and is scheduled to play against third placed Pune Pistons who is on 16 points, in the first semifinal at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on Wednesday. On the other side, the second placed Awadhe Warriors will lock horns with fourth placed Mumbai Masters in the second semifinal in Bangalore on Thursday.
In fact, the Beats, who is already out of semifinal contention, concluded the tournament on a high note and acquired confidence from their victory over table toppers Hotshots on Tuesday.
Outstandingly, Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of the Hotshots awarded his team a 1-0 lead by ousting Beats icon player Parupalli Kashyap by 21-20, 21-18 in a close men's singles tie. Later, Tanongsak declared the player of the tie and commented that it is always great to play against Kashyap. He added that the last smash was something which he would always like to remember and he would like to thank the crowd too which has been very supportive.
In the women's singles event, Saina Nehwal is undefeated till date in the tournament. She won her fifth women's singles match by thrashing Ying Tai Tzu by 21-17, 14-21, 11-8 to award the home side with 2-0.
The Hotshots icon player remarked that one side of the court was faster which was a bit of problem. After looking at the crowd in her hometown, she was a bit under pressure. During the third game, she fought hard and kept her cool. She is very excited to play the semifinals and above all she is sure her team will give their best.
Anyway, the visitors made a remarkable return by winning the next three matches to close the tie in their favor.
In the men's doubles title, Carsten Mogensen and Akshay Dewalkar of the Beats won against V. Shem Goh and Wah Lim Khim by 15-21, 21-15, 11-1 to close the scoreline at 1-2. In addition, Jan Jorgensen of the Beats won his first IBL match against Ajay Jayaram of the Hotshots. The Danish World No.9 won the 2nd men's singles rubber by 21-11, 21-8 to bring the score to 2-all.
Jorgensen expressed that he is happy for his game but a bit disheartened with Ajay, who didn't play his best game as he has to play the semifinals tomorrow. He continued to expect him to give a good fight but the game went smooth. His overall experience of playing in IBL has been amazing and he would like to return again next year to play for the Banga Beats.
Tarun Kona and Pradnya Gadre of the Hotshots displayed a good fight against Carsten Mogensen and Aparna Balan in the deciding mixed doubles tie but the latter combo proved too good and won the match for the Beats. In fact, Mogensen and Aparna won by 18-21, 21-16, 11-9.
