Mumbai:
Delhi Dreams stormed into the final of the inaugural Champions Tennis League by overcoming a spirited Mumbai Tennis Masters by 27-21 in the best-of-five one-set clashes here at the Kalina University sports complex courts.
The decisive blow for Delhi, who ended the three-team North Zone round robin on home and away basis with three wins and a lone loss (3 points), was struck by a not fully-fit Kevin Anderson of South Africa who easily overcame a tired-looking Spaniard Tommy Robredo, playing his third match, 6-1 in the fifth rubber when match scores were tied 2-all.
The bean-pole-like 28-year-old South African, currently ranked 16th in the world, jumped to a 4-0 lead in a jiffy with his strong serves and powerful ground shots.
Though 32-year-old Robredo, a former world no. 5 and five-time French Open quarter finalist, pulled one back by breaking his rival’s serve in the fifth, there was enough in Anderson’s tank to break him back immediately and then hold serve comfortably for a thumping 6-1 verdict.
Delhi’s game-wise advantage over Mumbai at the end of the clash stood at a commanding 27-21, according to tournament supervisor Nitin Kannamwar.
Overall, Delhi have won 11 matches (sets) and lost 9 as compared to Mumbai’s poor 6-9 and third team Punjab Marshals’ 8-7 ahead of the dead rubber between Mumbai and Punjab.
The League organisers have said in a media release that the winners of North and South group round robin matches (ties, according to Kannamwar) would be decided by number of matches won and lost.
