IPTL: UAE Royals Vs Singapore Slammers - Preview

Marin Cilic and Tomas Berdych

The UAE Royals take on the Singapore Slammers in the first match on Day 2 of the International Premier Tennis League(IPTL). The Royals are on a high after an impressive win over the home team Manila Mavericks in their first match. The Slammers on the other hand lost to the Indian Aces and managed just a single point in standings.

Here are the possible matchups this afternoon.

Men’s Singles

Marin Cilic helped his team get over the line with his win over Andy Murray on Friday. He is expected to play today as well. For the Slammers, it was Lleyton Hewitt who took the court instead of Tomas Berdych and Nick Kyrgios in their match against the Indian Aces. Hewitt lost the set 1-6 against Gael Monfils. 

It will be interesting to see if the team from Singapore will stick to Hewitt or go for other singles players.

Women’s Singles

Ladies from both teams competing in today’s afternoon game lost on the opening day of the tournament. Kristina Mladenovic put up a brave fight before going down to Maria Sharapova in the tie breaker. Daniela Hantuchova played the singles rubber due to unavailability of Serena Williams for the Slammers. The Slovakian was beaten 6-0 by Ana Ivanovic of the Indian Aces. 

Mladenovic can take confidence from the last match going into today’s encounter.

Mixed Doubles

Doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic teamed up with Mladenovic to get the better of Mavericks combination of Murray and Sharapova in the first match. The Slammers team of Bruno Soares and Hantuchova failed to utilize their chances in their loss in the opening set to the Indian Aces pairing of Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna. 

Both teams are expected to make no changes to their combination ahead of today’s match.

Men’s Doubles

Zimonjic teamed up with Cilic to win against the duo Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and local lad Treat Huey. The Royals are expected to continue with the same combination for their second match. Nick Kyrgios and Tomas Berdych registered a comfortable 6-2 win over Gael Monfils and Bopanna in their opening game. It will be an exciting battle if the Slammers decide to stick to the same duo.

Legends Singles

Goran Ivanisevic saved several set points before edging past Carlos Moya in the first match in the tie breaker. Pat Rafter of the Slammers had his chances against the wily Fabrice Santoro in their first match. Rafter couldn’t get over the line in a tight tie breaker. 

The match promises plenty of action as two Grand Slam champions take to court in the first match today.