Saina-less Warriors posts facile 4-3 win over Sindhu's Smashers

The Lucknow-based team won three of the five matches, including its trump match, against the defending champion

Awadhe Warriors' Parupalli Kashyap in action against Daniel Farid of Chennai Smashers in Guwahati on Saturday

Even without the services of its ace shuttler Saina Nehwal due to an ankle injury, Awadhe Warriors started its campaign in the Premier Badminton League III with a facile 4-3 win over defending champion Chennai Smashers at the N.C. Bordoloi Indoor Stadium here on Saturday. The Lucknow-based team won three of the five matches, including its trump match. Tang Chun Man and Christinna Pedersen beat World No. 5 British couple, Chris Adcock and Gabrielle Adcock, 10-15, 15-5, 15-12 in the opening mixed doubles encounter. Awadhe Warriors vs Chennai Smashers: As it happened

The Adcocks defended well and banked on the Awadhe players' unforced errors to go 1-0 up. However, Tang and Christinna continued with their good placement and took advantage of Chris' errors at the net to equalise. With both pairs getting into the rhythm, the decider witnessed a few spectacular rallies. The close contest came to an end when Christinna rushed forward to slot the winner. SEASON PREVIEWS:

Awadhe Warriors: Packed with formidable warriors!

Chennai Smashers: Sindhu the spearhead!

In Awadhe's trump match, P. Kashyap outsmarted Daniel Farid 15-12, 15-8 to extend lead to 3-0. Farid, who was restricted to his delicate net play and swift court coverage, did not have a chance against Kashyap's all-round game. Kashyap, who trailed 8-5 in the first game, took some time to assess his opponent and unleashed some powerful smashes to leave Farid clueless. Farid's unforced mistakes added to his woes. Third-ranked K. Srikanth overcame 24th ranked Brice Leverdez's challenge to record a 15-12, 15-13 win. Srikanth, who wanted to test his fitness in match conditions, showed his smashing and lifting skills to erase Leverdez's early lead and surpass him at 12-13 before pocketing the first game. In the following game, the Frenchman benefitted from Srikanth's errors to stay 12-7 ahead. Srikanth used his deft touches and super drop shots to close the gap. He went up at 14-13 and took the match when Leverdez netted one. The remaining two contests, including the women's singles involving P.V. Sindhu, were mere formalities.  

The Result Awadhe Warriors bt Chennai Smashers 4-3 (Tang Chuan Man-Christinna Pedersen bt Chris Adcock-Gabrielle Adcock 10-15, 15-5, 15-12; (Awadhe trump match) P. Kashyap bt Daniel Farid 15-12, 15-8; K. Srikanth bt Brice Leverdez 15-12, 15-13, Hendra Setiawan-Or Chin Chung lost to Chris Adcock-Lee Yang 11-15, 15-10, 11-15; (Chennai trump match) Sai Uttejitha Rao lost to P.V. Sindhu 10-15, 9-15).

Tomorrow at Guwahati: North Eastern Warriors vs Hyderabad Hunters 7 p.m.