Indian Aces face Singapore Slammers

Manila:  Frenchman Gael Monfils will open the Indian Aces’ campaign against Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych when the Indian team will take on Singapore Slammers in the opening match of the much-awaited International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), beginning here on Friday. There is some disappointment for fans as Swiss star Roger Federer will not play in the three-day Manila leg of the new Asia region-based league, according to the schedule released by the organisers.

 

The men’s singles match will be followed by the women’s singles encounter between India’s Ana Ivanovic and Daniela Hantuchova.The pair of Rohan Bopanna and Monfils will then take court for the men’s doubles match against Bruno Soares and Lleyton Hewitt.

 

Bopanna will combine with compatriot Sania Mirza for the mixed doubles against Hantuchova and Soares, with whom Sania won the US Open trophy. The tie will conclude with a past champions’ match between Fabrice Santoro from India and former World No.1 Patrick Rafter.In the second match of the day, hosts Manila Mavericks will take on UAE Royals, which includes the likes of World No.1 Novak Djokovic.