The stands were slow to fill in, the music billowing at the background setting the stage for tennis action.
The inaugural day of the Champions Tennis League had its share of glitches but managed to keep the audience stuck to their seats as Delhi Dreams edged past Punjab Marshalls 25-19 (6-1, 3-6, 6-5 (3), 4-6, 6-1) in the home tie at the RK Khanna Stadium on Monday.
As Delhi team co-owner and film actor Ajay Devgan and Indian doubles ace Leander Paes, playing for the Punjab side, hugged each other at the sidelines, it was symbolic of the marriage between sports and entertainment.
Even as the crowd went berserk at the sight of the movie star, it was equally generous in giving Paes a huge applause the moment he postured to serve. The star responded by stopping and waving to a rapturous applause.
Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced the tournament open with the legends match between Greg Rusedski and former World No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero setting the tone for the tie.
The Spaniard logged the first point for Punjab with a 6-1 victory. Rusedski, who arrived only in the afternoon, was sluggish in his movements as Ferrero put up a sharper display to wrap things up in 20 minutes.
The two exhibited the flavour of relaxed camaraderie as they reflected on the contest.“Juan was too good for me today, I was not able to give a right start to my team. But we fought back well. The court is slow and heavy but nothing taking away from them," said Rusedski.
Added Ferrero: "We have played each other so often in the past and it was fun to play him again. It was a great experience."
In the mixed doubles, Paes partnering Spaniard Garbine Muguruza against Kevin Anderson and Jelena Jankovic, was at his histrionic best. He regaled the crowd during his lighter moments with his young partner as much with his deft work at the net. Paes, led from the front, even bringing the best out of Muguruza as the two won 6-3 to level the scores.
Jankovic, though, again put Delhi in front as she recovered from a slow start to beat Muguruza in an exciting women’ singles, 6-5 (3). The tie-breaker in the match was the best of nine points where the first to take five points won.
Former World No 1 Jankovic, whose season was cut short owing to a back injury, was wobbly at the start. Pegged by an early break, she soon began to find her range on the slow court, wearing down the 21-year-old Muguruza in the rallies.
Muguruza, delightful in her strokes and especially on the backhand, came up short in the tie-breaker to lose out.
Paes in tandem with Somdev Devvarman again restored parity by thwarting a spirited challenge from Sanam Singh and Anderson to win the tie 6-4. It was an exciting fair from the two pairs replete with entertaining exchanges over the net.
The decider, though, proved to be an one-sided affair. World No. 16 Anderson, who has a booming serve and big groundstrokes, proved too good for Somdev, who meekly surrendered 6-1. Delhi can now turn to Mumbai team with confidence in their second home match on Tuesday.
Results: Delhi Dreams bt Punjab Marshalls: 25-19.
Legends: Juan Carlos Ferrero bt Greg Rusedski 6-1
Mixed doubles: Kevin Anderson/Jelena Jankovic lt to Leander Paes/Garbine Murguza 3-6
Women's singles: Jelena Jankovic bt Garbine Murguza 6-5(3)
Men's doubles: Kevin Anderson/ Sanam Singh lt to Leander Paes/Somdev Devvarman 4-6
Men's singles: Kevin Anderson bt Somdev Devvarman 6-1.
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