Delhi Dreams dominated Mumbai Tennis Masters in the second match of the Champions Tennis league (CTl) here on Tuesday to take a 12-4 points advantage after the first two matches.
Braving the extreme chill, Delhites came out in good volume to witness top quality action at the RK Khanna Stadium. Even as the mercury dipped, the action sizzled on the court. At least from the Delhi Dreams’ side.
Playing first in the usual format, legends singles between two Spanish veterans in Juan Carlos Ferrero and Sergi Bruguera kicked things off. Ferrero started in pulsating fashion as he moved his older opponent around from the get go and took reign of the match from the first game itself.
In a format which doesn’t allow for many chances and the opportunity to make a comeback, Bruguera never got that chance after being broken in the first game of his match. Ferrero took control and never let go of it as he moved the 43-year-old from side to side as Bruguera, the clearly unfit player, found it difficult to match ‘the mosquito’.
The match maintained it’s pace until the crowd roared in the fourth game after both players pushed each all over the court. At 30-30, Bruguera brought Ferrero forward and then pushed him back with a well connected lob which Ferrero hit between his legs as he ran back. Another attempt at a lob was, however, put away for a smash with ease. Ferrero went on to win the game and consolidate his lead to 3-1.
Things got even more difficult for Mumbai with Bruguera getting broken yet again to 4-1 with his shots full of spin but not enough whip to bother Ferrero.
At 5-2 Ferrero served for the set and despite a little bit of resistance from Bruguera, it didn’t prove enough as his slight cry of anguish painted picture of the match where Ferrero dominated throughout.
In the mixed doubles which followed next, Kevin Anderson and Jelena Jankovic easily beat the pairing of Tommy Robredo and Alize Cornet 6-2. Anderson with his tall 6’8 frame was in tremendously aggressive mood and used his ability at the net to good use along with his strong serving. In the fourth game, Delhi broke serve even after Mumbai had two points to hold serve.
Anderson/Jankovic pairing did have their communication problems which was evident as they went for the same ball on two occasions. This, however, did not plague them in the end or the end result as Delhi ran out comfortable. Mumbai’s poor play was shown when Robredo shanked an easy volley in the last game which Delhi went on to win 6-2.