PREDICTION: Slammers & Aces evenly matched, but Singapore will win the race

THE SINGAPORE SLAMMERS and the Indian Aces will lock horns in their final game of the Japan leg of International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in Kobe, today. 

The Slammers will be a confident unit after their win over the Philippine Mavericks and would be keen on finishing the Japan tour with another win. On the other hand, defending champs Indian Aces have kicked off their IPTL campaign on a winning note and would fancy their chances of remaining unbeaten heading into Manila. 

At the moment, Aces and Slammers are awaiting their marquee names in Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray to arrive. That said, both teams have decent bench strength and will enter the contest on level terms. Another down-to-the-wire clash on the cards for the afternoon. 

TFG analyses the game and picks the winner between the Aces and Slammers. 

LEGENDS SINGLES 

Carlos Moya is yet to win a single set in the legends category and might have to remain winless for a few more days. The Spaniard will be pitted against the in-form, deceptive, Frenchman Fabrice Santoro. Indian Aces’ captain has been the pick of the players in the legends category and feels comfortable playing in this unique format. While, Moya might try to engage Santoro in the rallies, the Frenchman will use all his disguise and variety to get the job done. 

Winner: Santoro 

WOMEN’S SINGLES 

Singapore’s Karolina Pliskova will be cock-a-hoop after beating Serena Williams yesterday. The Czech will be brimming with all the confidence as she takes on Aces’ Samantha Stosur. The Aussie will try to impose her big serving game on Pliskova, but the Lanky girl might just have more consistency and patience to eke out a close win for her team. 

Winner: Pliskova 

MIXED DOUBLES 

In this category, Indian Aces’ Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna will enter as the overwhelming favourites. The duo might have lost their previous set against Japan, but the pair of Belinda Bencic/Marcelo Melo is unlikely to bother them much. Expect the Aces’ pair to perform much better and get their coordination in place. The Brazilian might come up with some spectacular shots, but Bopanna/Mirza will try to target the relatively weaker Swiss girl. 

Winners: Mirza/Bopanna

MEN’S DOUBLES 

Melo/Dustin Brown have shown flashes of brilliance in this category and are likely to continue their aggressive mode of play. Bopanna/Dodig might be a more settled unit in the doubles, but the Slammers’ pair will have enough match practice under their belt to get the much-needed win here. 

Winners: Melo/Brown

MEN’S SINGLES 

Singapore’s Nick Kyrgios has shown enough evidence of the talent he possess over the past few days. The 20-year-old is riding high on his winning momentum and is unlikely to come out second best against Indian Aces’ Ivan Dodig. The Croatian will try to engage in long baseline rallies and upset the rhythm of the Aussie, but Kyrgios will have enough firepower and confidence to nail the set without much drama. 

Winner: Kyrgios 

Both teams are dead even on paper and will indulge in a cat and mouse game. Once again, it could all come down to the final set and Kyrgios might have little trouble in guiding his team home.