Mukund Sasikumar in action against Benjamin Lock in the men’s singles match of TPL 6 |
Punjab Patriots’ Mukund Sasikumar came up with scintillating performance to outclass Hyderabad Strikers’ Benjamin Lock in the men’s singles clash of the Tennis Premier League Season 6 at Cricket Club of India on Saturday. He later returned in the men’s doubles to help Punjab Patriots prevail with a score of 51-49 against Hyderabad Strikers.
However, both the teams qualified for the semifinals. Yash Mumbai Eagles and
Rajasthan Rangers also finished in the top four. The two semifinals will be played on Sunday followed by the final.
Sasikumar holding current ATP singles ranking of 367 (career high 229) locked his opponent with quality tennis to romp to 18-7 win and give Punjab team a 11 point advantage and bring them back in the contest after in-form Strikers’ player Harriet Dart had defeated Elina Avanesyan of Patriots 16-9 in the women’s singles contest earlier.
Sasikumar’s effort not only nullified the deficit of seven points but gave his side crucial four points lead going into doubles contests. It was a big effort against Zimbabwean Benjamin who is currently ranked at 157 in ATP rankings.
Big serving Benjamin won two serve points initially including an ace and romped to 3-2 lead but Sasikaran came up with answers soon with solid returns to push Benjamin out of comfort zone. An ace, a ferocious return and some solid long rallies led Sasikaran to comfortable 9-4 lead at the mid-way.
However, Benjamin continued to err in long rallies and had no replies to Sasikaran’s serves. Even the vociferous Hyderabad supporters couldn’t lift the Zimbabwean. A powerful forehand winner stamped the Indian’s authority with 14-6 lead. Nothing was going in favour of Benjamin as he lost both challenges. An ace followed by a cheaky winner towards the edge of the line gave Punjab firm grip on the game. Benjamin showed his quality with a scorching forehand winner but Sasikaran came up with a couple of more aces to seal the deal.
Earlier, Dart had given Hyderabad a dream start in the women’s singles. She remained upfront in the whole game and never game Elina chance of any comeback. Her serves, placements and volley play were too much for Elina on the day and mix of forehand and backhand forced errors from the Punjab player.
In the Mixed Doubles category, Hyderabad Strikers’ Dart and Vishnu Vardhan defeated Elina and Saketh Myneni of Punjab Patriots with a score of 14-11. With only one point separating the two teams, it was all to play for in the Men’s Doubles category. Sasikumar and Saketh Myneni of Punjab Patriots managed to clinch a 13-12 win over Vishnu Vardhan and Benjamin Lock of Hyderabad Strikers.
Tennis legend and TPL franchise owner Leander Paes was in the house obliging fans one by one with autographs before the game.
Meanwhile, Gabriela Knutson of Bengaluru SG Pipers defeated Cristina Dinu 14-11 in the Women’s Singles category. Arthur Fery of Rajasthan Rangers won a nail-biter against Bernabe Zapata Miralles, securing a 13-12 victory in the Men’s Singles.
In the Mixed Doubles category, Anirudh Chandrasekar and Gabriela Knutson of Bengaluru SG Pipers defeated Rohan Bopanna and Cristina Dinu of Rajasthan Rangers with a score of 13-12. In the Men’s Doubles category, the duo of Rohan Bopanna and Arthur Fery beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Anirudh Chandrasekhar 14-11.
