P V Sindhu stole the show with a hard-fought win over former All England champion Tine Baun as Awadhe Warriors inched closer to the semi-final with a 3-2 triumph over Mumbai Masters in the inaugural Indian Badminton League here.
Sindhu prevailed over world number 11 Baun 21-12, 19-21, 11-8 last night.
The contest between the two teams was a see-saw battle till the fourth match of the tie but the Warriors’ mixed doubles pair of M Kido-Pia Bernadeth brought cheers for their fans as they defeated Masters Vladimir Ivanov and Sikki Reddy 21-19, 21-15 in the decider.
After this win, Warriors are placed fourth on the table with 12 points from two wins and two loses in four ties.
They will next play the second-placed Pune Pistons on tomorrow in Hyderabad. Though Masters lost the tie, they are placed third on the table with 15 points in five ties with two wins and three loses.
Sindhu and Vladimir Ivanov won their respective singles match as Masters and Awadhe Warriors were tied at 1-1.
The tall Russian started the proceedings for the Masters, who has been good in the mixed doubles so far with his Sikki Reddy, with a bang.
Ivanov rode on his powerful smashes and better placements to tame RMV Gurusaidutt 21-18, 21-20, 11-9 in the first men’s single’s match to give Masters a 1-0 lead over Warriors.
Sindhu then outwitted Baun to bring her team back into the contest.
Baun’s reputation did not make a difference as World Championships bronze-medallist Sindhu went about her business with ease and comfortably won the the first game 21-12 with a cross-court push.
In the second game, Sindhu maintained her composure and was 7-5 ahead at the first break. But Baun clawed her way back to take the second game 21-19.