Sindhu, Caljouw take Hyderabad Hunters to top of PBL standings

P V Sindhu began the new year with a win over Saina Nehwal and Mark Caljouw defeated North Eastern Warriors trump Tian Houwei to give Hyderabad Hunters their third win in Premier Badminton League here Tuesday.

The victory means defending champions Hunters would end the Pune leg of the cash-rich tournament on top of the leader-board.

While the match was important for both teams in their quest for the semi-final spot, the added attraction for the fans on the first day of the new year was the clash between India's two shuttle queens, Saina and Sindhu.

Sindhu, who had lost her last two matches in the PBL against Sung Ji Hyun and Beiwen Zhang, emerged victorious 11-15 15-9 15-5 win.

Saina, who had sat out the earlier three matches of North Eastern Warriors due to a shin injury, was not 100 percent and was seen struggling for stamina following long rallies.

But the way she fought back from a 7-10 deficit to clinch seven straight points and then wrap up the opening game showed that the ...