Indian Aces win the inaugural International Premier Tennis League

The Indian Aces team pose with the IPTL trophy

The Indian Aces clinched the first International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) title with a fine team effort. The team from India was the most consistent team in the league and the results in all four stages of the tournament point in that regard. Despite losing their last match against the UAE Royals, the Aces had 39 points from their 12 matches against 37 of the Royals.

Novak Djokovic won his first match of the tournament as he beat Gael Monfils 6-0in front of the Dubai crowd. However, it was the Indian team that erupted in joy before collecting the IPTL trophy. Ana Ivanovic played in all the Women’s singles sets and helped the team gain the advantage at crucial moments of the match. Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna were superb in mixed doubles notching up important wins for the Delhi team.

Fabrice Santoro rolled back the years as he won all his sets in the legends singles. Gael Monfils entertained the crowd with his athletic ability pulling off winners out of nowhere! The Frenchman played in both singles as well as Men’s doubles matches. Roger Federer was the most anticipated player in the Delhi leg of the IPTL and he did not disappoint. He partnered Mirza in the mixed doubles, played doubles with Monfils and Bopanna and the singles sets. The Swiss maestro won all his sets. Pete Sampras could not live up to the hype as he looked a shadow of himself in both his sets.

In a tournament where every game mattered, the aces were ahead of other teams winning eight of their 12 matches. The UAE Royals finished second, while the Manila Mavericks and Singapore Slammers occupied the third and fourth spot.