Japan: The reigning champions against last year's runners-up - it was meant to be great. And it didn't disappoint. The OUE Singapore Slammers and the Indian Aces faced off for the first time at the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League 2016 at the Saitama Super Arena.
It was the tightest match so far and it could have easily gone either way. The win and the three points were decided in a Super Shoot-Out, where Kirsten Flipkens was simply too good for Kiki Bertens. Despite their 25-26 loss to the Aces, the Slammers still got a point for surpassing the 20-game mark.
Match highlights
Former world No. 1 Carlos Moyà got some sweet revenge against Thomas Enqvist during the Legends set. During their time on the ATP tour, the Swede dominated their head-to-head but Moya was backed by a tactically-sound Slammers team who called a clever Coca-Cola Power Point to help the Spaniard secure a decisive break for 3-2.
Feliciano López is loving the format and taking advantage of it to the fullest. The Spaniard leveled the match for the Aces with a solid victory against Marcos Baghdatis in the Men's Singles encounter.
The Men's Doubles was a spectacular display of volleying skills and big-time tennis. It was on Nick Kyrgios' racquet and, sealed with a service winner, that the Slammers bagged the third set to inch ahead.
Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna carried on with their great form from the previous opening day and got the Aces on level terms, leaving the Women's set as the decider.
Kirsten Flipkens, who won her singles on Day 1, raised her level right when it mattered and turned around the score to force a Super Shoot-Out against Kiki Bertens. The Belgian was simply sensational at the decisive moments as she secured an ever-so-tight triumph for the Aces.
What the Players said:
Carlos Moyà: "I enjoy the IPTL very much. I like the different rules and the team environment. Big stadiums still give me the chills and the adrenaline that I missed after I retired. For me is a pleasure to be here. Nishikori, Raonic, Kyrgios, Zverev, Thiem... Those five names are the ones that will probably be the next first time Grand Slam winners"
Kirsten Flipkens: "It was really nice to get the win for the team. It was a really tough match, a really tough deciding set."
Feliciano López: "I love this country. I played here many times. I have a group of fans from here and they very sweet. It is very nice to see them every time I come here. The key behind playing doubles and singles is to be healthy and stay healthy for a long time. It's almost two years that I play singles and doubles every week. With Marc López, who is one if my best friends, makes things easier. Otherwise would be very tough for me."
