World Tennis League starts cheerfully

A sports exhibition is a double-edged sword. There is a certain aloofness towards the fierce competition, which a purist might compare to trivializing. But it also brings a sport closer to an audience that is otherwise deprived of seeing its favorite players in flesh and blood.

The opening day of the fourth edition of the World Tennis League at the SM Krishna Stadium was a mix of everything here. The quality was a few steps below the elite level, but there was fun and cheerfulness, which kept the general public bubbling. There was also a touch of stardust, with the most high-profile visitor being the legendary Kapil Dev.

It helped that three of tennis’s greatest showmen were in action: Nick Kyrgios, Daniil Medvedev and Gael Monfils.

Kyrgios was bouncing with energy, rising from his chair in the dugout at every opportunity. At one point, chair umpire John Blom even admonished him. “Nick, please sit down,” he said, and his compatriot walked back quietly – rather ironically – like a well-behaved schoolchild.

Medvedev and Monfils played the final match of the night and provided the fans with a rollicking finish. On one occasion, Monfils even ignored his coach’s call for a timeout, endearing him even more to the supporters.

India’s Dhakshineshwar Suresh gave a good account of himself, staying with Canadian world number 23 Denis Shapovalov for large chunks of his belt.

The only blemish on Wednesday came early on, when play had to be stopped after some fans protested because the abnormally high player entrance blocked their view. The tennis resumed when they were placed behind the server’s arm, an advantageous position they were eager to occupy.

The results: VB Realty Hawks 25 bt Aussie Mavericks Kites 21 (Elina Svitolina & Maaya Rajeshwaran bt Marta Kostyuk & Ankita Raina 7-5; Svitolina bt Kostyuk 7-5; Denis Shapovalov & Yuki Bhambri lost to Nick Kyrgios & Dhakshineshwar Suresh 4-6; Shapovalov bt Dhakshineshwar 7-5).

AOS Eagles 18 bt Game Changers Falcons 16 (Paula Badosa lost to Magda Linette 4-6; Sumit Nagal & Badosa bt Rohan Bopanna & Linette 6-1; Gael Monfils & Nagal lost to Daniil Medvedev & Bopanna 2-6; Monfils bt Medvedev 6-3).