Hotshots pull ahead in semis

Ajay Jayaram was a man on a mission as he went about his task of inflicting a 21-17, 21-11 defeat on world no.5 Tien Minh Nyugen of the Pune Pistons as Hyderabad Hotshots drew first blood in the first semi-final of the IBL at the GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday. The Hotshots, perhaps in a bid to give themselves a greater chance of success, rolled out the big guns on Wednesday. Jayaram kicked off the proceedings with Saina Nehwal set to take to the court twice during the course of the tie — the women’s world no. 4 is slated to play in the mixed doubles match as well. As an excited home crowd cheered him on, Jayaram matched Nyugen stroke for stroke as the two gave no quarter. With the game poised at 9-9, Jayaram started pulling ahead slowly, but steadily. A couple of line calls in Jayaram’s favour added a little drama to the match but for the most part, it was a rather tame affair. The match was reminiscent of the duo’s first clash in the tournament, a match Ajay took 21-19, 21-8. Nyugen, who was clearly rattled at losing the two close line-calls, quickly mastered himself and got the better of a rally to level at 14-14. But the Hotshots’ player was already in the zone by now and despite his higher-ranked opponent’s best efforts, he took the first game 21-17. Jayaram truly came into his own in the second game. He reeled off seven points in quick succession and while the Vietnamese tried to hold his own, the damage was already done. Jayaram, with clinical precision, closed out the encounter to put his side ahead.