Hyderabad Strikers emerged champions of the Tennis Premier League Season 6 after beating Yash Mumbai Eagles 51-44 in the final at Cricket Club of India on Sunday.
Harriet Dart won the opening Women’s Singles game for Strikers against Zeynep Sonmez of Yash Mumbai Eagles with a score of 14-11. Young Karan Singh pulled things back level for Mumbai Eagles after winning the Men’s Singles 14-11 over Benjamin Lock of Hyderabad Strikers.
Hyderabad duo of Harriet Dart and Vishnu Vardhan dominated the mixed doubles clash to win 16-9 over Zeynep Sonmez and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan of Mumbai Eagles. In the Men’s Doubles category, Mumbai team’s Karan Singh and Jeevan tried hard to reduce the deficit but experienced Vishnu Vardhan and Benjamin Lock of Hyderabad team ended the game 10-10 to ensure their side end the league on a high.
Earlier, Yash Mumbai Eagles outplayed Gujarat Panthers in the first semifinal 51-43 to advance to the finals. Jeevan made the difference in doubles matches. Both teams were locked at 25-25 after singles matches when Jeevan combined with Zeynep Sönmez to win the mixed doubles tie 16-9 against Ekaterina Kazionova and Vijay Sundar Prashanthand give Mumbai a crucial lead of 41-34. Mumbai needed just 10 points to qualify for the final in the last men’s doubles encounter and Jeevan and Karan Singh had no problems to surge ahead 10-9 and seal the deal for the home side.
Jeevan took control of the proceedings after Zeynep have given Mumbai Eagles a great start with 14-11 victory over Ekaterina. However, Sumit Nagal brought Gujarat Panthers back in the game with 14-11 win over Karan Singh. It was not easy going for top ranked Indian Nagal over young Karan Singh. Nagal had to battle for every point and use all his international experience to overcome the challenge of Karan Singh.
Turkish player Zeynep who was on a high after win over Ekaterina in the first encounter of the day returned with Jeevan to beat Ekaterina again who had partnered with Vijay. The match was evenly poised until some smart net play from Jeevan helped Mumbai franchise surge ahead and gain 8-5 lead before the change of ends. Ekaterina came under pressure and started committing errors to which Mumbai responded with winners. A jump shot on a volley from Jeevan stamped Mumbai’s authority as they took 11-5 lead.
A resurgent Ekaterina was in no mood to give up without fight and one a couple of points with Vijay to reduce deficit, However, Mumbai Eagles kept composure to win the contest 16-9 and go ahead 41-34 in the match.
Eagles needed just 10 points to advance in the men’s doubles encounter but Gujarat Panthers Nagal and Vijay didn’t give up and fought for every point. However, in-form Jeevan in company of talented Karan performed the job well by taking decisive 10-9 lead.
In the second semi-final, Hyderabad Strikers went up against Rajasthan Rangers to fight for a spot in the final. Harriet Dart started strongly for Hyderabad Strikers, winning 14-11 against Cristina Dinu in the Women’s Singles matchup. The Men’s Singles game saw a hard-fought battle, with Rajasthan Rangers’ Arthur Fery clinching a 13-12 victory over Benjamin Lock of Hyderabad Strikers.
Harriet Dart and Vishnu Vardhan of Hyderabad Strikers delivered a dominant display for 15-10 win over Cristina Dinu and Rohan Bopanna of Rajasthan Rangers in the Mixed Doubles category. In the Men’s Doubles category, Vishnu Vardhan and Benjamin Lock of Hyderabad Strikers claimed a 10-8 victory against Rohan Bopanna and Arthur Fery in the Men’s Doubles category. With that win, Hyderabad Strikers cruised into the final, beating Rajasthan Rangers 51-42 in the second semi-final.
