Bengaluru, Dec 18 (digihunt) – In an exhilarating showdown, Sumit Nagal triumphed over Dhakshineswar Suresh in a golden-point decider, leading AOS Eagles to victory against Aussie Mavericks Kites in the ongoing World Tennis League (WTL), which is making its debut in India at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium on Thursday.
Match Highlights
The opening match of the day featured a men’s singles battle between Sumit Nagal and Dhakshineswar Suresh, showcasing distinct styles of play. Nagal, known for his exceptional counter-punching, faced Suresh, towering at 6’5, renowned for his powerful serves and aggressive game.
After a closely contested set, Nagal and Suresh engaged in the tournament’s inaugural tie-break. At 6-6 in the breaker, WTL’s unique ‘golden point’ rule came into play. Nagal seized the moment to win the point, subsequently clinching the game and set, thereby completing a clean sweep for the Eagles, who secured a commanding 25-13 victory.
Badosa Sets the Tone
Paula Badosa set a strong precedent for the Eagles by overpowering Marta Kostyuk 6-1 in the opening set. A 2025 Australian Open semi-finalist, Badosa showcased her top form after battling injuries in the latter half of the season, exhibiting remarkable stroke-making prowess against the Ukrainian.
Badosa maintained her dominant display as she partnered with Gael Monfils in mixed doubles. Their synergy was evident as they outperformed Suresh and Marta Kostyuk 6-3. In the men’s doubles, the duo of Monfils and Nagal defeated Suresh and Nick Kyrgios with a similar score of 6-3.
WTL Debut in India
The WTL, now in its fourth season, offers Indian audiences a fresh perspective on many of tennis’s biggest stars. The atmosphere has been fun and relaxed, allowing players to showcase their personalities, with Australian star Kyrgios demonstrating his team spirit and Badosa and Monfils bringing a lively energy to their performances.
This year, four franchises are competing, each facing off in a round-robin format before the top two teams advance to the final. Each tie consists of four sets: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and women’s/mixed doubles. Victory is determined by the number of games won, with each game won accounting for one point.
Results:
- AOS Eagles vs Aussie Mavericks Kites: 25-13
- Paula Badosa (Eagles) bt Marta Kostyuk (Kites): 6-1
- Paula Badosa-Gael Monfils (Eagles) bt Dhakshineswar Suresh-Marta Kostyuk (Kites): 6-3
- Sumit Nagal-Gael Monfils (Eagles) bt Nick Kyrgios-Dhakshineswar Suresh (Kites): 6-3
- Sumit Nagal (Eagles) bt Dhakshineswar Suresh (Kites): 7-6
–digihunt
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