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In the second match of the evening, Ironkill Delhi Dreams visited the maximum city to face the hosts Mumbai Tennis Masters. The team from Delhi had won the battle between the two on home turf, and were looking to do the same on foreign territory. And how they were able to do that in style! Here is how the action unfolded.
Legends’ Singles: Ferrero too strong for Bruguera in opening set
Sergi Bruguera and Juan Carlos Ferrero opened the evening in Mumbai. And both players seemed confident on serve, precise in their shot placement and positive in their approach.
There were no service breaks until the eighth game, when Ferrero broke Bruguera to take a 5-3 lead. The 34-year-old former French Open champion made the most of the break, wrapping up the set in the very next game, giving Delhi a 6-3 lead in games.
The first set showed just how fine the margins are at this level of tennis. All it took was one break for the Mosquito to pounce on, and win the set for his side.
Mixed Doubles: Cornet and Robredo produce spectacular comeback
The second match of the evening started with the sad news of Kevin Anderson deciding to sit out due to a back problem. Sanam Singh replaced the South African to partner Jelena Jankovic in the mixed doubles.
The match started with some excellent net play from both sides, and it was Delhi who drew first blood, getting the break in the fourth game of the set to take a 3-1 lead. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the visitors, as Mumbai came back with a break of their own and eventually levelled the match at 4-4.
After some amazing rallies, the crowds started to raise their voices, encouraging the home team to go for the kill. And that’s exactly what happened. Singh’s serve was broken and Robredo served out the set, with Mumbai winning 6-4.
Ironkill Delhi Dreams led Ironkill Mumbai Tennis Masters 10-9 after two sets.
Women’s Singles: Jankovic clinches set in tightly fought contest
Two of the biggest names in women’s names were up next on the court. Former World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic found herself in deep trouble after a break saw her trail Cornet 0-3 at the start. But the Serb found the strength to recover as she broke the Frenchwoman’s serve to equal things at 3-3.
There were no service breaks after that, as the set headed to a tiebreak. Jankovic won the breaker 5-4 to win the set 6-5, finishing things with a series of pinpoint groundstrokes.
Delhi led the Mumbai team 16-14 at the end of the three sets.
Men’s Doubles: Robredo and Balaji edge ahead in classic encounter
With Anderson still sitting out, Sanam Singh and Juan Carlos Ferrero paired up for the first time, as they took on Tommy Robredo and Sriram Balaji in the fourth set. The Mumbai pair were desperate to win their first doubles set in the CTL, and with both teams boasting talented Indians, the match was balanced and hard-fought.
A tiebreak had to settle things after both teams were locked at 5 games apiece. The home side managed to use the crowd support to their advantage, as they took the breaker and won the match 6-5.
At the end of the fourth set, Ironkill Delhi Dreams led Ironkill Mumbai Tennis Masters by the tiny margin of 21-20.
Men’s Singles: Anderson wraps things up for Delhi Dreams
Anderson shrugged off his back problem to face Robredo in the last set. The break seemed to help the South African as he broke Robredo’s serve early on to sail to a 3-0 lead.
Anderson broke the Spaniard again, but this time wasn’t able to hold serve as Robredo troubled the scorecards for the first time. But that’s all that Robredo got, as Anderson took the last two games to take the set 6-1, and with it the tie.
Key match stats
Ironkill Delhi Dreams won the tie 27-21, after an impressive overall team performance. With the win, Delhi Dreams books their spot in the finals. Having already beaten the Masters in Delhi, the Dreams showed confidence and skill to take care of proceedings in Mumbai as well.
Originally published on the Champions Tennis League website here.
