5 Reasons why Punjab Marshalls won the 2015 CTL title

The 2015 Champions Tennis League (CTL) came to an end on Sunday after an electrifying final that saw the Punjab Marshalls edging the home team, the Hyderabad Aces by a single point – 22-21. Punjab thus remained unbeaten at this year’s CTL, having triumphed in each of their five matches, which included a flawless four wins in the group stage.The Marshalls’ tremendous accomplishment is not surprising. They had all the ingredients for success, and all their team members – Greg Rusedski, Marcos Baghdatis, Elina Svitolina and Saketh Myneni – played crucial roles in bringing glory to the Chandigarh-based franchise.Let us have a detailed look at five reasons why the Punjab Marshalls reigned supreme at the 2015 CTL:

#5 Team bonding

The Punjab Marshalls were probably the most well-gelled squad at this year’s CTL. The team bonding and the camaraderie among the members was refreshing to see.

The numerous team selfies that the Marshalls posted showed how much they were enjoying travelling and playing together as a team. No doubt the stupendous co-ordination and understanding fuelled each and every player to summon their best, and ultimately took the team to the CTL title.

#4 Greg Rusedskis leadership

It always helps to have a captain who leads from the front. And Greg Rusedski was exactly that kind of leader, who not only showed the way forward by chalking out the team strategy, but also kept boosting the team spirit and motivating all the members to make every tie an all-round team effort.

As a player, the Canadian-turned-Briton showed flashes of the brilliance that took him to the US Open final in 1997. Although he ended up as the vanquished in his first tie against the Mumbai Tennis Masters’ Richard Krajicek, that probably had more to do with adjusting to the humid weather conditions.

The former World No. 4 remained undefeated for the rest of the tournament as his serve-and-volley game caught fire. With frequent forays into the net and dmirable foot speed even at the age of 42, Rusedski set the stage for the Punjab Marshalls’ win every time he took the court after that first loss.

#3 Saketh Mynenis big serve

Saketh Myneni continued from where he left off at last year’s CTL. His rapport with Marcos Baghdatis proved invaluable to the Pune Marathas’ success in 2014, and it was the same story this season for the Punjab Marshalls.

Ranked at No. 126 in the ATP doubles rankings, the 28-year-old has become one of the most dependable Indian players in this format. He brought all the confidence from his two Challenger titles this year into the CTL, and played his heart out.

Myneni’s big serve immediately gives an advantage to whichever team he represents, and so it did for the Punjab franchise this year. But what was more striking to see was how he stayed cool and collected even when he had to come out of his comfort zone.

During Punjab’s group match versus the Raipur Rangers, his partner Baghdatis was feeling under the weather. But the Indian did not let that hamper his team’s chances as he compensated with his brilliant strokes whenever the Cypriot came up short.

It's no wonder Myneni was adjudged the best Indian player once again – his second successive Margaret Amritraj award.

#2 Elina Svitolinas quick learning

Elina Svitolina had been touted as one of the brightest upcoming talents on the WTA Tour for some time. The 21-year-old has put up an exhibition of all her skills on the tour, which has made many tennis experts single her out as a future Major champion.

What stands out about the young Ukrainian is that she is a fast learner and is never intimidated by any challenge. With a maturity that is beyond her age, she can stand up against any opposition and play her game.

That is what helped her discern the areas where she went wrong when she succumbed to the US Open champion Flavia Pennetta in her opening match. The fiery forehands that took her to her maiden Major quarter-final at the French Open this year, came alive the next time she met Pennetta, and she reversed the result.

Svitolina did not lose a singles set after that first setback. Even against the five-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis in the summit clash, the World No. 19’s resilience shone through as she erased the deficit to win the set.

Svitolina was an asset to the Punjab team, and the right choice to don the shoes of their leading female player.

#1 Marcos Baghdatis the talisman

Marcos Baghdatis was the talisman and the driving force behind the Punjab Marshalls. Just like he steered the Pune Marathas to the title last year, this time too he made himself indispensable for the Marshalls.

The former Australian Open runner-up has admitted many a time that he loves playing in India. And his passion for the country came to the fore once more as he raised his level with the crowd support getting louder.

There’s never been any doubt about the Cypriot’s prowess on the court. A former World No. 8, his solid groundstrokes and smart use of angles have wreaked havoc against many of the sports’ biggest names. He gave ample evidence of those skills at this year’s CTL in both his singles and doubles sets with India’s Saketh Myneni.

The 2014 MVP Baghdatis’ composure was outstanding, especially in the final against Hyderabad Aces’ Ivo Karlovic. The Cypriot was at 3-4 against the mammoth server but the way he held his serve under pressure and intelligently used the Superpoint in the tie-break to clinch the narrow win, was exemplary.

But perhaps the most remarkable thing is that Baghdatis emanated positive vibes all through the tournament and inspired his team members to produce their very best even in adverse situations.