ACES & VOLLEYS: V for Verdasco & Vishnu as Chennai depends on duo to lead their campaign

THE V CHENNAI WARRIORS are the latest and the last team to be introduced for this edition of the Champions Tennis League (CTL). In their first outing, the Chennai management has successfully picked a decent line-up of tennis players. 

Like the Punjab Marshalls, the Warriors too, don’t have a single Grand Slam champion in the ranks. However, the Chennai team has some proven campaigners in their scheme of things. The debutants have added veteran ATP player, Fernando Verdasco for the men’s singles, while India’s Vishnu Vardhan will partner the Spaniard in the men’s doubles. 

In the legends section, former Australian Open runner-up, Rainer Schuettler has been absorbed. Heather Watson of Great Britain will represent the Warriors in the ladies singles and mixed doubles. 

The Chennai team looks pretty strong in the men’s singles and doubles, but the legends and women’s singles games could create some panic for the new comers. 

Analyzing the strong points of the Warriors, TFG feels Verdasco will be the biggest asset for Chennai. Verdasco has a huge serve, and has the ability to play lights-out tennis on a given day. The Spaniard is almost certain to win cheap points and games in the singles. Furthermore, Verdasco has been an accomplished doubles player in the ATP circuit and possesses some amazing skills at the net. 

His doubles partner, Vishnu Vardhan too could be a force to reckon with. The Indian is a regular competitor in the doubles at the ATP challenger level and that could augur well for team Chennai going ahead. The pair of Verdasco/Vardhan might notch up some important wins in the competition. 

Meanwhile, the fitness and match practice of the German, Schuettler could be an area of concern. Although, Schuettler is the youngest player in the legends category, his defensive style of play, coupled with a dodgy serve might hurt the Chennai team. 

The British no.2, Watson too, is trying to cement her place at the top of the women’s rankings and has not been gaining too many points and wins under her belt lately. Watson might find cover in the mixed doubles, but she could have a hard time running around the court in the singles.