It was not an easy win for Indian Aces against the Singapore Slammers in their second match at the Saitama Arena, in Tokyo on Saturday. The Aces trailed tHomehe Slammers well into the fifth set, before Kirsten Flipkens turned the tables, securing a narrow 26-25 win for the team in the women’s singles set over Kiki Bertens.
At the start, Carlos Moya defeated Thomas Enqvist in the legends singles 6-4 to give the Slammers a decisive win after their defeat on Friday. Enqvist, the Aces’ team captain had replaced Mark Philippoussis, who had contested the match against the Japan Warriors, on Friday evening.
Feliciano Lopez levelled proceedings right away with a 6-4 win over Marcos Baghdatis in the men’s singles set that followed. Lopez and Ivan Dodig were however defeated by Marcelo Melo and Nick Kyrgios by the same 6-4 margin in the men’s doubles.
The fourth set went the Aces’ way with Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna getting a 6-4 win over Kiki Bertens and Melo. The final set was swung the Slammers’ way as Bertens broke Flipkens in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. However, she faltered while serving for the match in the 10th game which gave Flipkens the break back. In the ensuing shoot-out, the Belgian never looked troubled and went on win it comfortably, 7-3 to give the Aces their second win in the tournament.
In the second match of the day featuring home team Japan Warriors and UAE Royals, Jelena Jankovic and Kei Nishikori oversaw Warriors’ win over the Royals. In the opening women’s singles set between Jankovic and Martina Hingis, the Serbian cruised to a 6-1 win in the set. The Royals won the next three sets; legends singles, men’s and mixed doubles. Nishikori’s 6-1 win over Tomas Berdych in the final, men’s singles set clinched a 23-20 win for the Warriors.
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