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It was an electrifying end to the inaugural edition of the Champions Tennis League, as the final between Rendezvous Pune Marathas and Ironkill Delhi Dreams went all the way down to the wire. Eventually, it was the Marathas who triumphed, riding once again on the explosiveness of Marcos Baghdatis and the court craft of Agnieszka Radwanska to subdue the home side.
Legends’ Singles: Cash makes bright start, but Ferrero holds on
It was always going to be an uphill struggle for Pat Cash against his much younger opponent from Spain, but the veteran Aussie did well to bag three games and get the Pune team on the scoreboard.
Juan Carlos Ferrero won this set 6-3 to ensure Delhi got off to a positive start.
Mixed Doubles: Baghdatis and Radwanska hold their nerve
It was a highly entertaining mixed doubles encounter, with players on both sides of the net showing off incredible touch and retrieving skills. Baghdatis and Radwanska eventually maintained their cool to steal the set in a tie-break, getting the better of Sanam Singh and Jelena Jankovic 6-5 and reducing the Marathas’ games deficit to 9-11.
Women’s Singles: Radwanska shows who’s the boss of counterpunching
It was a battle of the counterpunchers, as Radwanska took on Jankovic with neither woman showing any willingness to stop running. The Serb made the brighter start, breaking Radwanska in the very first game, but that lead didn’t last long.
It has to be pointed out that Rendezvous Pune Marathas’ hopes of winning the CTL were heavily tilted in their favour when world number six Radwanska clinched the women’s singles beating former world number and world number fifteen Jankovic.
Radwanska managed to hold just enough times to finally grab the set 6-4, and in the process equalled the games score at 15-15.
Men’s Doubles: Baghdatis and Myneni stage fighting comeback
Kevin Anderson and Sanam Singh seemed well on their way to victory as they led by a break at 4-2 in the set, but Baghdatis and Saketh Myneni refused to give up. The Pune pair broke back and then held serve to take the set to a tie-break, which they pocketed in stunningly assured fashion to win the games lead for the Marathas, 21-20.
Men’s Singles: Baghdatis refuses to relent
It all came down to this: the top two singles players locking horns in the final battle for supremacy. Would the big-serving Anderson hit his way to victory, or would Baghdatis keep it together long enough to ensure his superior shot-making skills got the job done?
It turned out to be the latter, as Baghdatis rode a wave of momentum to stop Anderson in his tracks and win the set 6-3.
Anderson served with a lot of power, but didn’t quite have the adequate answers to the deadly backhand of Baghdatis. Just as the match was showing signs of walking down the ‘tie-break’ path, Baghdatis effected the crucial break of serve in the eighth game to open up a 5-3 lead, leaving Anderson on the mat.
His efforts gave Rendezvous Pune Marathas the coveted title, as they led Hyderabad 27-23 after the last game was played. Baghdatis also walked away with the Most Valuable Player award at the presentation ceremony, and no one can begrudge him that honour.
Baghdatis has hardly put a foot wrong in the CTL. Every time the Rendezvous Pune Marathas looked up to the former world number eight to carry the team’s aspirations, the 29-year-old Cypriot has lived up to them each time.
It was a truly deserving victory for Pune, as they didn’t lose a single tie all through the event. With an impressive mix of local talent and foreign stars, the Marathas have put together a formidable team, and they will take some beating when the league starts again next year.
The event’s purpose to identify and help Indian tennis talent gain experience has been largely accomplished. The entire nation has been held in thrall with the way the tournament has unfolded, with some of the world’s best tennis players congregating to be a part of a unique and never-seen-before side of the sport. Feliciano Lopez sums it up perfectly:
Originally published on the Champins Tennis League website here.
