The Coca-Cola IPTL was conceived to bring together a galaxy of stars
playing in a mixed team format. The Hopman cup is perhaps the closest it gets
to this exciting and novel format but then it’s played along country lines
precluding some delicious pairings as Djokovic-Wozniacki or Federer-Ivanovic.
While the front line of all the teams boasts of superlative names like Federer,
Novak, Murray, Serena, and Sharapova, there have been a few stellar
performances from unexpected quarters as well. These are players who are stars
in their own right but in a field this glittering, need to take a back seat in
the popularity stakes. That has however not translated to a muted show from the
relatively unknown faces in this part of the world. Mingling in with the
supernovas are these quarks that have shone bright on this exalted stage and
added that big dash of delight to the "happiness open". Given that
the games won is the prime metric of a player's performance within the set of
rules, we look at the average number of games won per set by some of the
unexpected stars of the Coca-Cola IPTL. They are the ones who have beaten their
reputation to take center stage on the court.
Mark Philippoussis
The "scud" has not lost any of his fire power and looked in prime
touch in all the matches that he has played so far for the Manila Mavericks.
With Carlos Moya struggling, the mavericks got a shot in the arm with the
Aussie icon in their fold. With a perfect record of winning all the five matches
that he has played and an average of the best possible 6 games per set, Mark
has truly lived up to his billing as a legend. He may not have landed a grand
slam title in his hey-day but has got better of more fancied opponents in Andre
Agassi, Cedric Pioline and Goran Ivanisevic. He has looked in fine fettle and
his single handed passes have been nothing short of astonishing. That he looks
as fit as he did at the two slam finals he reached is testimony to the fact
that tennis still sits easy on this icon's broad shoulders. The Philippines
based team would look to him to take them closer to the coveted top slot.
Fabrice Santoro
Another legend has punched above his weight. The Indian Aces owe
their top position at the moment to the "magician". The two handed
forehand was something that pulled a few tricks from the Frenchman as an active
player on the ATP tour and it seems the sleight of hand has not waned. Fabrice
matches Philippoussis at the incredible average of 6 games per set and has
proved his worth with the other legends on the Aces' team in Cedric Pioline and
Pete Sampras falling short of expectations. His agility and ground strokes have
been phenomenal and the longevity he showed on the professional circuit having
played in grand slams in four different decades is evident for everybody who
saw him trade shots at the Coca-Cola IPTL. His smile remains one of the
hallmarks of the table toppers scintillating run.
Rohan Bopanna / Sania Mirza
The Indian pair is accomplished in doubles play with multiple grand slam
titles to their name, albeit with different partners. However, not many would
have expected them to light up the courts against bigger names. Their mixed
doubles combination has played 7 out of the 8 matches played so far for the
Aces and won 5 of them, losing one in the shoot-out. Their average games per
set is a remarkable 5.28 which is proof of how well the duo has played in
tandem. Their net coverage has been exemplary and with the traditional quick
hands that doubles play asks for, the Indians have been a source of joy to the
crowd and team alike. Bops has had a slightly lower rate of success at the
men's doubles but has combined well with Monfils to rake in some important
victories. His average of 4.12 games per set for the 8 sets played pales in
comparison with the number for the mixed doubles but is nevertheless a
respectable achievement given that he has had to play two sets for all the
matches. To top it all, both Sania and Rohan combined today with Federer to
slam the slammers 6-0, 6-1 in the mixed doubles and men's doubles respectively.
If nothing else, those last two matches make the pair worth a mention in this
list.
Kristina Mladenovic
I have to admit that i had not heard much of the French girl of Serbian
descent before she took the Coca-Cola IPTL by storm. She has had some success
on the WTA tour rising to 36 in 2013. Her claim to fame however are the two
grand slam titles in mixed doubles at the 2013 Wimbledon and the 2014
Australian open with the more established Canadian Daniel Nestor. Her 5 games
won on average per set in 12 sets played across singles and mixed doubles is a
tremendous achievement given the stature of the more fancied ladies in the
fray. She has combined well with Nenad Zimonjic to have the UAE Royals in the second
spot. Kristina has been a consistent out-performer for the middle-east based
team and would count as the chief architect of a possible top of the table
finish. A shooting star by every stretch
of the imagination.
Nick Kyrgios
The slammers are languishing at the bottom of the table. In spite of
their twin wins at home in Singapore, some other poor results have had them
struggling. Standing out for them has been the effervescent Nick. He has been
the anchor of the team with some stalwarts like Serena Williams, Tomas Berdych
and Andre Agassi. Having played all of men's singles, mixed doubles and men's
doubles for the Slammers with regularity, he has been the face of the faltering
team. Some of his losses have been close fights with the teenager losing out in
the shoot-out. His return of 4.08 games per set may not set the charts on fire
but does impart an air of respectability to his team's fortunes. That he has
been egging on his mates with a fervor reserved typically for Davis cup events
has projected him out like a beacon. He has given it his all and stands out as
one of the most likeable participants of the "happiness open".
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