Monday 8 December 2014 08:53, UK
Roger Federer enjoyed a dominant IPTL debut, winning three sets to help the Indian Aces to a 26-16 win over Singapore Slammers and add the inaugural Asian tournament to his lengthy list of conquered competitions.
The IPTL’s third leg, which began on Saturday morning in Delhi, was largely centred around Federer making his tournament debut – and he did not disappoint an expectant crowd.
A singles victory over Tomas Berdych was preceded by men’s doubles and mixed doubles victories, helping the Aces to win four of the five sets.
Another Aces debutant,14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras, also made his first IPTL appearance but couldn’t make Federer’s impact – the American slipped to a 6-2 defeat to Pat Rafter in a legend’s match to open the day’s play.
It's crazy but it's good fun. I definitely think there's a place for this. It's competitive, it's serious but it's still light-hearted. It was big, it was loud, it was different.
But the Slammers would enjoy no further luck once Federer took to the court for three consecutive sets.
The Swiss icon teamed up with Indian players Sania Mirza and then Rohan Bopanna, winning 6-0 and 6-1 in the match’s two doubles sets. Federer had won 12 of his first 13 games as the atmosphere bubbled around his majestic strokeplay.
Berdych was able to push Federer further, but the world No 7 succumbed 6-4 as the Aces further extended their lead. Ana Ivanovic sealed victory for the hosts with a 6-5 win over Daniela Hantuchova.
Last month Federer added his first Davis Cup to his glittering trophy cabinet and his first attempt at adding an IPTL trophy could not have started better.
"It's crazy but it's good fun. I definitely think there's a place for this," Federer, who has never played in India before, said, "It's competitive, it's serious but it's still light-hearted. It was big, it was loud, it was different."
Federer said he was unsure how much extra tennis he would play next year, and would make a decision on his schedule after the Australian Open in January.
"I've got to be be careful not to overplay, clearly. I've got to still decide on Davis Cup, what I'm going to do there.
"But I'll have a look after the Australian Open. That's when I will decide how much I'm going to play next season.
"I'm going to play a full schedule like normal but the question is how much more will I add or not?"
Slip
Novak Djokovic also graced the IPTL for the first time but didn't fare as well as Federer - his UAE Royals slipped to a 27-24 defeat to Manila Mavericks.
In his only outing, Djokovic teamed with Nenad Zimonjic but lost 6-5 to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Daniel Nestor.
