New Delhi: The atmosphere at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium was electrifying as the audience’s decibel levels took the roof away with the continuous chants of ‘Roger, Roger’.
The debut of the Swiss great in the International Premier Tennis League for the Indian Aces was without doubt the highlight of the day. But that was not all. Joining the 17-time Grand Slam champ was the 14-time ’Slam champion and former world No.1 Pete Sampras, also of the Aces, to whet the crowd’s appetite to the maximum.
It was a rare sight to see both the former No.1’s on the same court and that too on the home turf. A Super Sunday, it was, for the home crowd.
Federer turned out in all the three ties as the Aces breezed past Singapore Slammers 26-16. The Aces’ camaraderie was a delight to watch and it them out from the rest. Sampras started the second day’s campaign of the third leg on a losing note for the Aces but nobody complained. Slammers’ Patrick Rafter eased past the American 6-2 in just 20 minutes in the past champions singles encounter.
In the mixed doubles, Federer partnered Sania Mirza and blanked Singapore’s Daniela Hantuchova and Nick Kyrgios 6-0 in just 15 minutes.“Thank you for giving such a special reception. It is a fabulous feeling… This are very few moments when I play mixed doubles events, I only played with three ladies apart from Sania in my life — Martina Hingis, Martina Navartilova and my wife Mirka,” said Federer.
Federer then played the men’s doubles with Bopanna and beat Lleyton Hewitt and Kyrgios 6-1.In the men’s singles, he beat Singapore’s Berdych 6-4 before Ana Ivanovic took the women’s singles tie 6-5. “I am adjusting to the format. It is innovative but it is fun. Great crowd here and they are enjoying.
Berdych played well today,” said Federer. In the second match, Manila Mavericks were leading 17-14 against the UAE Royals. Goran Ivanisevic surrendered 3-6 to Mark Philippoussis in past champions encounter before Marin Cilic beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-5 in the men’s singles. Novak Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic lost 5-6 in the men’s doubles.
