Bengaluru experienced another thrilling day of tennis as the World Tennis League (WTL) continued its debut in India at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium on Thursday.
The first match featured a men’s singles clash between Sumit Nagal and Dhakshineswar Suresh, highlighting the competition between AOS Eagles and Aussie Mavericks Kites. Nagal, known for his counter-punching skills, faced off against the tall Suresh, who stands at 6’5 and is recognized for his powerful serves and aggressive style.
In a closely contested set, Nagal and Suresh reached the tournament’s first tie-break. At 6-6, the WTL’s decisive ‘golden point’ rule was implemented. Nagal clinched the point, securing the game and set, which led the Eagles to a triumphant 25-13 win.
Paula Badosa set the stage for the Eagles with an impressive 6-1 victory over Marta Kostyuk in the opening set. Despite battling injuries in the latter part of the season, Badosa showcased her exceptional stroke-making against the Ukrainian on Thursday.
The Spaniard continued her excellent performance by teaming up with Gael Monfils in a thrilling mixed doubles match. Their combination of Monfils’ agility and finesse, along with Badosa’s powerful baseline game, enabled them to defeat Suresh and Kostyuk 6-3. In the men’s doubles, Monfils and Nagal also triumphed over Suresh and Nick Kyrgios, winning 6-3.
This year, four franchises are competing, with each team playing against the others once in a round-robin format, leading to the top two teams qualifying for the final.
Each tie comprises four sets: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and women’s/mixed doubles. The outcome is determined by the total number of games won, with each game contributing one point.
