Image courtesy: Tennis Premier League
The much-anticipated Tennis Premier League (TPL) 2024 kicked off in grand style at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, with tennis enthusiasts witnessing a thrilling day of action on a unique charcoal-colored court. Day 1 featured all eight teams battling it out, showcasing fierce competition and riveting matches. Among the standout performers were Rohan Bopanna and his Rajasthan Rangers, who made a resounding statement with their stellar performances.
Rajasthan Rangers’ Commanding Start
The Rajasthan Rangers opened the season against the Gujarat Panthers, delivering a dominant display across all categories. The Women’s Singles saw Christina Dinu edge out Ekaterina Kazionova in a tightly contested match, winning 14-11. The momentum carried into the Men’s Singles, where Arthur Fery defeated Sumit Nagal with an identical scoreline.
In the Mixed Doubles, Rohan Bopanna teamed up with Christina Dinu to outclass Vijay Sundar Prashanth and Ekaterina Kazionova, once again prevailing 14-11. Bopanna returned to action in the Men’s Doubles alongside Arthur Fery, where the duo secured a convincing 15-10 victory over Sumit Nagal and Vijay Sundar Prashanth. The Rajasthan Rangers concluded the day with an impressive overall score of 57-43, asserting themselves as early favorites in the league.
Hyderabad Strikers’ Gritty Victory
The Hyderabad Strikers also started strong, securing a 57-43 win against the Bengal Wizards. While Harriet Dart and Vishnu Vinod fell short in the Mixed Doubles against Kamilla Rakhimova and Sriram Balaji (13-12), Hyderabad bounced back in the Men’s Doubles, with Niki Poonacha and Sriram Balaji defeating Benjamin Lock and Vishnu Vinod 14-11. The collective effort catapulted the Strikers to the top of the table alongside the Rajasthan Rangers.
Yash Mumbai Eagles’ Stellar Show
The third match of the day featured the Yash Mumbai Eagles taking on the Punjab Patriots. In the Women’s Singles, Elina Avanesyan eked out a 13-12 win over Zeynep Sonmez. Karan Singh dominated the Men’s Singles, securing an emphatic 18-7 victory against Mukund Sasikumar. Despite some resistance from the Punjab Patriots in the Mixed Doubles, the Eagles maintained their composure and clinched the match with an overall score of 55-45.
Chennai Smashers Edge Bengaluru SG Pipers
In the final match of the day, the Chennai Smashers locked horns with the Bengaluru SG Pipers. Conny Perrin led the charge with a narrow 13-12 win over Gabriela Knutson in the Women’s Singles. Hugo Gaston followed suit, defeating Bernabe Zapata in another nail-biter by the same margin. The Mixed Doubles pairing of Perrin and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli dominated their match, winning 17-8. Although Bengaluru secured a consolation win in the Men’s Doubles, the Chennai Smashers sealed the match with an overall score of 54-46.
League Standings After Day 1
After a day of intense competition, the league standings are as follows:
- Rajasthan Rangers – 57 points
- Hyderabad Strikers – 57 points
- Yash Mumbai Eagles – 55 points
- Chennai Smashers – 54 points
- Bengaluru SG Pipers – 45 points
- Punjab Patriots – 45 points
- Bengal Wizards – 43 points
- Gujarat Panthers – 43 points
Looking Ahead
Day 1 of the Tennis Premier League 2024 set the tone for what promises to be an electrifying tournament. Rohan Bopanna’s leadership and on-court brilliance have positioned the Rajasthan Rangers as strong contenders, while other teams like Hyderabad Strikers and Yash Mumbai Eagles remain close behind. Fans can look forward to more high-octane matches as the league progresses, with every team eager to claim the coveted TPL title.
