They are languishing at the bottom of the points table
Mahesh Bhupathi
New Delhi: Singapore Slammers, who are languishing at the bottom of the points table, will aim for a turnaround at home in the second leg of the International Premier Tennis League that gets under way at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Tuesday.
They will face Manila Mavericks, while current leaders Indian Aces will lock horns with UAE Royals. “We didn’t start the way that we wanted to in Manila. As we are coming to our home venue, we want to change it all and really start strong, play well and make some wins. I think that this is the best place to do it,” said Singapore’s Tomas Berdych.
Berdych will open the home team’s challenge against Manila’s Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the men’s singles clash, while Serena will play Kirsten Flipkens in the women’s singles face-off.
“I think we have all had good seasons but playing with Jo is going to be tough. We’ve had many of them in the past and as I was saying, this is the best time to start to win some matches and I’m going to try and win many,” Berdych said.
In the first match of the Singapore leg, the Aces will look to extend their fine run. Doubts though remain over Roger Federer’s participation in the event. Aces’ Federer, who missed out on the opening leg, is set to skip the Singapore round as well.
Speaking about the match format, 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, representing the UAE Royals, said: “I think this is going to be good for the future. Hopefully, the Singapore people will enjoy it; we have another two cities to go. “But so far it’s looking great and it’s going to be even better and better.”
Bhupathi declares IPTL a success:
Meanwhile, IPTL boss Mahesh Bhupathi declared its launch in the Philippines a success, ushering in a fast-paced, television-friendly version of one of the world’s most popular sports.
“The format has been accepted, which was our biggest risk,” said Bhupathi, a former doubles specialist for India. “We just have to make sure we sustain this momentum going into the next three legs.”
He said there are plans for the league to add to their four teams Manila Mavericks, Singapore Slammers, Indian Aces and UAE Royals but in a gradual manner.
( Source : dc correspondent/ agency )
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