Defending champions Indian Aces bounced back in style to beat Singapore Slammers 27-20 to record their second successive win in the Japan leg of the International Premier Tennis League Season Two in Kobe on Friday.
In an evenly-contested match, the teams were tied at two sets apiece with the decisive men’s singles to follow.
Aces’ ace singles player Gael Monfils had to sit out with a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Ivan Dodig to face Nick Kyrgios. Dodig proved too hot for the Australian, securing the set 6-3.
Earlier, the match started with a classic encounter with legends of the game in action — Fabrice Santoro of Aces taking on former world number one Carlos Moya. In a thrilling encounter that reached five games all and after 6-6 in the tie-break, it was Moya’s winning stroke that gave Slammers the lead.
Later in the day, Philippine Mavericks defeated home team Japan Warriors 28-24 for their first win of the season.
