Champions Tennis League: Mumbai Masters Beat Punjab Marshalls to Finish Second in Group

Mumbai Tennis Masters overcame Punjab Marshalls 29-20 in the inconsequential final North Zone round-robin match of the Champions Tennis League (CTL) at the Kalinga University Sports Complex here on Monday.

Delhi Dreams had already stormed into the final of the inaugural CTL by overcoming a spirited Mumbai 27-21 in the best-of-five one-set clashes late Sunday night.

With both Mumbai and Punjab already out of contention for a place in the November 26 final, all interest lay on the final placing in the group and the home team came out trumps to finish second with two wins and as many losses.

Punjab, who won just one tie out of four, ended up third following today's comprehensive loss to Mumbai.

Delhi ended on top in the three-team North Zone round robin league played on home and away basis with three wins and a lone loss (3 points).

In Monday's last league game here, Pranjala Yadlapalli, India No. 1 in under-14, put Mumbai 1-0 ahead by overcoming her senior rival Rishika Sunkara 6-5 (tie break 5-1). The Andhra Pradesh girl jumped to a 4-0 lead with some attacking play in the tie break that paid her rich dividends.

The two Indian players took the court after top women stars Alize Cornet of France (Mumbai), the world no. 20, and Spain's Gabrine Muguruza, ranked 22nd, decided to sit out of the dead rubber.

Pranjala then teamed up with Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash to increase the lead to 2-0 when the duo overcame the Punjab mixed doubles pair of Rishika and Vidit Vaghela 6-2.

However, the ever reliable Leander Paes pulled one match back in time for Punjab by winning the battle of legends against former two-time French Open champion Sergi Bruguera of Spain 6-5 via the tie-break.

"For me it's great experience to play against two top 20 players (Robredo and South African Kevin Anderson) in the tournament. I may not have won. It was also a great opportunity for me to play with Grand Slam winners like Sergi and Pat Cash (Pune) whom I had not seen playing," said Somdev after the match.

About his experience of playing with Paes, he said it was easy as he was playing with one of the best doubles players in the world.

"The experience was great and it was great to see his magic on the doubles court. It was easy to adapt," he said.

Somdev is looking forward to a season-ending break before resuming his up and down professional career at the Chennai Open followed by the Australian Open in the New Year.

"Chennai Open and Australian Open (In January, 2015) are my next tournaments. I want to take some rest and then will be ready to go," he added.