Hyderabad Hotshots' Ajay Jayaram, ranked 24th in the world stunned Pune Pistons' World No 5 Tien Minh Nguyen to give his team a deserving 1-0 lead in yesterday's Indian Badminton League clash at the sardar Vallabhbhai Stadium here.
Jayaram did well to trouble his Vietnamese opponent particularly at the net and emerge a 21-19, 21-8 victor.
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The first game was a closely-fought affair Nguyen catching up with his 25-year-old opponent thrice — at 6, 11 and 18. Jayaram however, held his nerve and won 21-19 with a stylish drop.
In Game 2, Jayaram, who had lost to Nguyen last year at the Singapore Open, began strongly for 4-1 lead. The Indians dominance continued as he kept his opponent under-10 points to win 21-8.