IPTL Match 3 Review: Singapore Slammers vs Indian Aces

Singapore Slammers 25-26 Indian Aces

Carlos Moya 6-4 Thomas Enqvist
Marcos Baghdatis 4-6 Feliciano Lopez
Nick Kyrgios/Marcelo Melo 6-4 Ivan Dodig/Feliciano Lopez
Marcelo Melo/Kiki Bertens 4-6 Rohan Bopanna/Sania Mirza
Kiki Bertens 5-6 Kirsten Flipkens

Photo by IPTL

The second day of action started with the tie between Singapore Slammers and Indian Aces. The slammers entered the tie with a 29-19 loss to UAE Royals, 1 game away from achieving a loss but a 6-1 loss for Kiki Bertens proved crucial in the match. Whereas it was just opposite for Indian Aces, winning all 5 sets to defeat Japan Warriors 30-17.

Set 1 (Legend’s Singles): Moya 6-4 Enqvist

The first breakthrough was made by Moya in the 5^th game when he used won a Coca-Cola powerpoint at 40-30, allowing him to win 2 straight points and the game. That sole break of serve proved very crucial as there were no more breaks of serve in the set and therefore, the set went to Moya by 6 games to 4 after 33 minutes of exciting tennis.

Set 2 (Men’s Singles): Baghdatis 4-6 Lopez

Lopez started the set perfectly, breaking Baghdatis’ serve immediately at the start of the match and then consolidating his break for a 2-0 lead to start the set. Lopez broke once again at 3-1 to have a double break lead and look on course for a 2^nd straight victory in as many days. Baghdatis managed to get one of the 2 breaks back, but it was definitely not enough as Lopez served out the set 6-4 to level the tie at 10-10.

Set 3 (Men’s Doubles): Kyrgios/Melo 6-4 Dodig/Lopez

After 8 straight holds of serve to start the match, the Singapore Slammers’ pair of Kyrgios and Melo broke at the last moment in the 9^th game to take a 5-4 lead and earn an opportunity to serve out the set. They did not disappoint and served out the set comfortably to regain the lead for Singapore Slammers.

Set 4 (Mixed Doubles): Melo/Bertens 4-6 Bopanna/Mirza

The Indian pairing of Bopanna and Mirza made the first breakthrough when they broke at 2-2 to give themselves the lead and a chance to help Indian Aces to catch up with the Slammers. However, Melo and Bertens broke back to level the set at 4-4 after Mirza’s serve crumbled into pieces. Mirza and Bopanna then came up with some good returns to break Melo’s serve once again and lead 5-4, giving themselves a chance to serve for the set. Bopanna then comfortably served out the set 6-4 and level the match at 20-20 with the women’s singles set deciding everything.

  

Set 5 (Women’s Singles): Bertens 5-6 Flipkens

Bertens was the one who drew first blood, breaking serve at 2-2 to allow Singapore Slammers to lead in the tie. Bertens led 5-3, and was very close to winning the set but Flipkens managed to hold her serve and break Bertens’ serve to love to make it 5-5 and let a tiebreak decide the winner for the match. Flipkens won the tiebreak in a weird manner after Bertens did not hit the toss on her service to give the point, set, and match away.