The Indian Aces won the inaugural edition of the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) playing consistent tennis throughout. Every member of the team contributed when it mattered the most to help Aces clinch the trophy in Dubai. Ana Ivanovic played on all 12 days and registered important wins for the Delhi team. Gael Monfils was at his entertaining best and played singles in Manila, Singapore and Dubai. Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna were outstanding in the mixed doubles and did not put a foot wrong in the tournament. Roger Federer played in the Indian leg of the IPTL and the stadiums in Delhi were packed to the rafters.Let us look at the best sets of the IPTL featuring the Indian Aces:
#1 Ana Ivanovic Vs Daniela Hantuchova
Ana Ivanovic was on fire in the first match of IPTL in Phillipines leg, where the aces emerged as the winners.The set was one sided. Ana Ivanovic was invincible and Daniela Hantuchova was left in bewiderment. Hantuchova tried all the weapons she had in her quiver, but she was not able to win a single game.
Ana Ivanovic broke Hantuchova’s serve on three occasions. She hit some amazing forehand and backhand winners to unsettle the Slovakian. Ana Ivanovic started the tournament on a positive note.
Ivanovic beat Hantuchova 6-0.
#2 Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna Vs Kristina Mladenovic/Nenad Zimonjic
The current US Open mixed doubles champion, Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna defeated Kristina Mladenovic and Nenad Zimonjic 6-5. This was the first match of the Singapore leg of IPTL. Excellent netplay by the aces made the UAE royals pair commit unforced errors. The Aces and Royals were tied at 5-5.
The Aces eventually won the set in the shoot-out. It was Bopanna who sealed the set with a superb ace.
Bopanna/Mirza beat Zimonjic/Mladenovic 6-5.
#3 Rohan Bopanna/Gael Monfils Vs Treat Huey/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
This was 14th match of IPTL and the Aces were up against Mavericks. Rohan Bopanna and Gael Monfils took on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Treat Huey. It was the third set of the match.
The Aces were trailing their opposition by three games before this set. There were long rallies between the two teams. Monfils was at his energetic best as the set went to a shootout. It was the Indian pair that came out on top after five minutes of the shootout.
Bopanna/Monfils beat Huey/Tsonga 6-5.
#4 Federer/Sania vs Soares/Hantuchova
It was deafening in the stadium when Federer took the court with Mirza for the mixed doubles set. The Indian pairing took on Bruno Soares and Daniela Hantuchova. The Swiss maestro served beautifully and put pressure on the Slammers duo.
Mirza chipped in with terrific returns and superb drop shots.
Federer/Mirza beat Soares/Hantuchova 6-0.
#5 Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic
The crowd who attended the last match in the Delhi leg of the IPTL couldn’t have asked for a better match. It was World No. 1 Novak Djokovic taking on World No. 2 Roger Federer. Both players were good on their serve and committed very few unforced errors.
Federer had a break point opportunity in the 10th game, but Djokovic won the point and took the set to a shootout. It was Federer who won the shootout with fine tennis.
The Aces lost the match, but the crowd were definitely entertained!
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