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The Mumbai Tennis Masters suffered their second straihght loss of the 2015 edition of the Champions Tennis League, losing 23-14 to the Raipur Rangers at the MSLTA Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday. This would come as a huge setback to the only team in the league that has a reigning singles Slam champion, especially since they played both the matches on their home turf.
Here is a break-down of how the action unfolded on Day 2 of the CTL:
1. Legends’ singles: Richard Krajicek vs Thomas Muster
It was Krajicek who was the first to open his account in the match, breaking Muster in the opening game itself to take a 1-0 lead. He then clinched the next game on his own serve to go 2-0 up and get his team off to a good start.
The Dutchman kept consolidating his advantage by holding serve comfortably, jumping out to a 3-1 lead that put a lot of pressure on the 1995 French Open champion. Muster refused to buckle down and kept holding serve, but the 1996 Wimbledon champion clinched the set in the 8th game to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Result: Krajicek def. Muster 5-3
2. Women’s singles: Flavia Pennetta vs Alize Cornet
Just like in the opening set, the Mumbai Tennis Masters got the break of serve in the opening game itself. Pennetta unleased a series of ferocious returns to put her French opponent on the backfoot from the word 'go'. But Cornet is nothing if not a fighter, and she broke serve in the very next game to bring the match on level terms at 1-1.
Pennetta then went in front again, winning her second straight break of serve to lead 2-1. But like clockwork, Cornet clawed her way back yet again, first by breaking the Pennetta serve to make it 2-2 and then winning her next service game to make it 3-2 in her favour.
The Frenchwoman then broke the Pennetta serve again in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead and then served out the set to put the Raipur Rangers on the board.
Result: Cornet def. Pennetta 5-2
3. Mixed doubles: Giraldo/Pennetta vs Bautista Agut/Cornet
Both pairs raced off the blocks confidently, holding serve to bring the score to 1-1. The servers’ ascendancy was short-lived though, as Giraldo and Pennetta broke their opponents’ serve to go 2-1 up.
It seemed like the Masters were ready to regain control of the tie, but Bautista Agut and Cornet broke back immediately to make it 2-2. Normal service was then resumed as the Rangers held to make it 3-2 in their favour, and then immediately looked to put pressure on their opponents’ serve.
Their aggression was rewarded as Bautista Agut and Cornet broke to take a 4-2 lead. Although Pennetta and Giraldo refused to give up, breaking once again to bring the score to 3-4, their comeback efforts couldn't last long. The Rangers sealed the set in the next game by breaking serve yet again, winning it 5-3 and giving their team a 2-1 lead.
Result: Bautista Agut/Cornet def. Giraldo/Pennetta 5-3
4. Men’s doubles: Giraldo/Balaji vs Bautista Agut/Ramanathan
Each pair won their opening two service games before the Raipur Rangers duo broke the Mumbai Masters pair in the sixth game to go 4-2 up. Ramanathan's massive forehand and Bautista Agut's impressive defense helped the Rangers withstand the attacks of Giraldo and Balaji, putting them under enormous pressure.
The Rangers didn't blink when they were asked to finish the job, and they served out the set to clinch it 5-2 and give their team a 3-1 lead in the tie.
Result: Bautista Agut/Ramanathan def. Giraldo/Balaji 5-2
5. Men’s singles: Bautista Agut vs Santiago Giraldo
The fifth and final set once again the Raipur Rangers dominate proceedings. Spain's Bautista Agut has had a fine year in singles and he carried forward his form into his first singles match of the CTL too.
Ultra-solid from the baseline and aggressive when he needed to be, Bautista Agut broke the Giraldo serve early and never relinquished control of the proceedings. Giraldo did hit his share of dazzling winners but in the end the Bautista Agut's consistency was too much for the Colombian to overcome.
The Spaniard clinched the set 5-2 to hand his side a 4-1 lead in sets, and a 23-14 lead in games, thus wrapping up the tie for the Rangers.
Result: Bautista Agut def. Giraldo 5-2
