SERENA’S SLAMMERS FINALLY WIN AN IPTL MATCH!

Written by: Global Chick on 3rd December 2014

SERENA'S SLAMMERS FINALLY WIN AN IPTL MATCH!

epa04511798 Serena Williams of the USA in action against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium during their match at the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in Singapore, 02 December 2014. The IPTL, which features four teams made out of a hybrid mix of current and former men's and women's players, is on its second leg in Singapore, after starting in the Phillipines, and will continue in New Delhi and conclude in Dubai. EPA/WALLACE WOON |

By Global Chick.

Serena Williams helps the Singapore Slammers to their first win

It feels like it has been a long time coming, but finally the Singapore Slammers get their first International Premier Tennis League win! After boasting Serena Williams in their side at the end of the first week, the Slammers could not snap their losing streak since the start of the exhibition league last week.

Serena may have been a little rusty in her opening match in Manila but got her wins in the women’s singles, not surprisingly. But it was all about winning on home soil – something that the Manila Mavericks at least achieved in the closing stages of the Philippines leg of the tournament.

Williams said, after opening her account last week: “I love the team atmosphere. If you lose a match everyone is still positive and that what I love about it. Just warming up and hearing the crowd was spectacular and unexpected. I feel honored to feel that. I’ve never played and been here before. It’s good to come to countries like this because you realize we have fans everywhere and we never get to come to places where some of the fans are and forget that you do have fans everywhere,” she added. “It feels good to have that opportunity.”

Serena Williams of USA signs autographs after her match against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium during their match at the first leg of International Tennis Premier League (IPTL) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines, 30 November 2014. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO

She continued: “I myself would like to give more time to [IPTL]. We’re having so much fun and it’s been very enjoyable for me and I think, for the most part, most of the top players are joining so, we kind of support it.”

But the pressure was on when it came to playing on home turf and in their rematch with the Mavericks, and with legend Andre Agassi coming into bat for them, they were handed a second loss in a row.

“Having a great time with @andreagassi for the #iptl #singaporeslammers #legend” – @serenawilliams via Instagram

So facing their toughest challenge, the unbeaten Indian Aces, they opted to put Williams first into bat against Ana Ivanovic who has really seemed to enjoy this event, if her dancing moves are anything to go buy. The Serbian had the run of Williams, but in true Serena-style she clawed her way out of trouble and onto a win.

Warmed up and ready, Williams combined with doubles specialist Bruno Soares, but Aces’ Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza have been a solid combination throughout, comfortable keeping the Slammers at bay and more importantly staying in contention.

Once people get behind this extended exhibition and move away from the whole tour/league debate, it really is rather a good lark to watch, and this match up was perhaps one of the most entertaining so far as the legends took to the court and Fabrice Santoro kept Andre Agassi easily away and put the aces back in front by some way.

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in action against Gael Monfils of France during their match of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in Singapore, 03 December 2014. The IPTL, which features four teams made out of a hybrid mix of current and former men’s and women’s players, is on its second leg in Singapore, after starting in the Phillipines, and will continue in New Delhi and conclude in Dubai. EPA/WALLACE WOON

Step up Tomas Berdych who dished out the same score (6-2, in case you were wondering) to give an all Aussie combination of Lleyton Hewitt and Nick Kyrgios a fighting chance of taking us to a Super-shoot-out. It should also be mentioned that in a lovely tough, the two Aussies dedicated their win to the memory of cricketer Phillip Hughes who sadly died last week two days after being struck by a ball in-game.

Berdych ended up the hero once more, beating Gael Monfils again to give the Slammers their first win.

It’s a great format for entertainment, and Williams sees the benefit as part of that all-important pre-season preparation.

“I came into this thinking it was going to be like fun and a blast, and I’m having a fun time, having a blast. I didn’t think it was going to be a good preparation like it is but it turns out to be an amazing preparation, it’s really perfect.

“After I played in Manila, I was like this is a great way to prepare for the season. I think it’s going to grow naturally because a lot of players are supporting it and a lot of players are involved in it. I think it’s definitely going to grow.”

The Slammers will take on the Royals on Thursday and expect Williams to try and finish with a flourish.

Topics: 10s news, IPTL, Serena Williams, Singapore Slammers, Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

December 3, 2014 at 9:38 am

- @serenawilliams’s SLAMMERS FINALLY WIN AN @iptl MATCH!- http://t.co/RMYaMIHynd #tennis #SingaporeSlammers #SerenaWilliams #IPTLsingapore