Bangalore Raptors fell to its third consecutive defeat in the Champions Tennis League, its hopes of progress in the competition ending tamely at the KSLTA Stadium here on Friday.
Feliciano Lopez waged a lone battle, but his efforts were not enough to prevent Hyderabad Aces from securing a 25-22 win.
After Hyderabad had won three of the first four contests, Lopez came up against Mikhail Youzhny in the final rubber with the home side needing to make up a five-point deficit — a possible but unlikely outcome. The Spaniard went 6-3 up to take the tie into “super overtime” before Youzhny won the next game to end the contest.
Earlier, Mark Philippoussis subdued Thomas Enqvist in the opening rubber despite being broken in the first game. With a brace on his right knee, the Australian was badly hampered in his movement around the court, but he fell back on his renowned big serve to get out of trouble.
A good number came through the turnstiles, and there was much joy for them in the mixed doubles encounter that followed. Lopez dominated this thoroughly. He served well, chased seemingly lost causes, and was brilliant at the net. He positioned himself close to the net on occasion, returning anything in his vicinity, and a lot beyond.
Bangalore Raptors took this 6-3.
However, this was as good as it got for the host. Martina Hingis dismantled an out-of-sorts Venus Williams 6-1, handing Hyderabad a healthy lead. The American was broken four times, and it looked as if she might be shut out completely. She managed to win a game, but it was hardly cause for cheer.
The result: Hyderabad Aces bt Bangalore Raptors 25-22 [Mark Philippoussis bt Thomas Enqvist 6-4; Mikhail Youzhny & Martina Hingis lost to Feliciano Lopez & Venus Williams 3-6; Martina Hingis bt Venus Williams 6-1; Mikhail Youzhny & Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan bt Feliciano Lopez & Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-5(5-3), Mikhail Youzhny lost to Feliciano Lopez 4-6].