International Premier Tennis League 2014: Live Stream Schedule and Predictions
The International Premier Tennis League will make its final stop of 2014 in Dubai, where the UAE Royals will finally have the chance to play their home fixtures and the inaugural champions will be crowned.
Indian Aces have led the standings since the third matchday and carry a three-point lead into the final slate of fixtures. And with just three matchdays left, it's going to be very hard for the other teams to stop them from bagging the title in Dubai.
Singapore Slammers have been bottom of the standings from the very first matchday, but the Royals and Manila Mavericks still have a chance of overtaking Aces, who hold a significant lead in games won. Here's the schedule for the final matchdays in Dubai:
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| Thursday, Dec. 11 | Noon | Indian Aces v Singapore Slammers | Sky Go app |
| Thursday, Dec. 11 | 3.30 p.m. | UAE Royals v Manilla Mavericks | Sky Go app |
| Friday, Dec. 12 | Noon | Manilla Mavericks v Singapore Slammers | Sky Go app |
| Friday, Dec. 12 | 3.30 p.m. | UAE Royals v Indian Aces | Sky Go app |
| Saturday, Dec. 13 | Noon | Manilla Mavericks v Indian Aces | Sky Go app |
| Saturday, Dec. 13 | 3.30 p.m. | UAE Royals v Singapore Slammers | Sky Go app |
To access the Sky Go app, click here.
The Aces' official Twitter feed shared the current standings:
"#GoAces One day to go for Dubai leg. Here's the current standing. pic.twitter.com/LoEj85KbfC
— Micromax Indian Aces (@IndianAces) December 10, 2014"
Novak Djokovic Gives Royals a Chance
Roger Federer may have gotten the best of rival Novak Djokovic in a 6-5 shootout win in India, but the Swiss star won't be playing for Aces in Dubai. Djokovic' team also won the match 29-22.
Like most of the top players coming off a long and grueling ATP season, the Joker has been taking it easy in the IPTL. But when he turns on the jets, he's more than capable of blowing his opponents right off the court, winning his matches in record time.
His competitive juices will be flowing in Dubai, knowing full well his team is just three points out of the lead. Add to that the fact Royals will be playing their very first home matches, and things are looking up for Djokovic and his teammates to complete the comeback.
Will Royals win the inaugural IPTL campaign? Nothing is certain going into the final three matchdays, but with the World No. 1 plying his trade for the team, it's far too early to rule the hosts out.
Singapore Slammers' Struggles Will Shape Dubai Matches
Going into the final leg of the IPTL tour, Singapore Slammers have won just two of nine matches and a grand total of 236 games.
Tennis Grandstand's Ricky Dimon has been thoroughly underwhelmed with the team, and his comparison to one of the world's most notorious one-surface players, Italy's gravel-master Filippo Volandri, is harsh but fair:
The IPTL has felt like more of an exhibition Tour than an actual competitive arena during the first few matches, but with the title on the line and three teams within three points of each other, expect that to change in Dubai.
Each team will play Singapore with the chance to bag a ton of points and gain an advantage over their competitors. While the head-to-head matches will be pivotal, teams will eye their match against Slammers as perhaps the best opportunity to move up in the standings.
Exciting Finish Will Only Aid IPTL's Future
After some initial question marks, the IPTL has been receiving a lot of great publicity from virtually everyone involved in the past few weeks. As reported by Live-Tennis.com's Hannah Wilks, Federer came away impressed after his short cameo in India:
"When they announce you like a superstar when you walk back out, it’s special. I’m happy that the IPTL is so competitive, it’s so professional. You want to win but there’s also so much fun with the team. It’s early days, but the IPTL definitely has a regular place for our sport. To have more interaction, more fun, different rules, you bend it, customize so it works for everybody involved. It’s a very interesting concept.
"
Federer is absolutely right—the IPTL has a future. In just its first season, the tournament has already received a lot of positive exposure, and as organisers learn from this edition, the concept will only improve over time.
A close, exciting finish with three teams vying for the title is exactly the kind of finale the event organisers desired. Dubai has a chance to leave a lasting impression on fans, players and sponsors alike, and as of right now, the scenario couldn't play out any better.
Make fun of it all you want: The inaugural IPTL season was a rousing success, and this new league is here to stay.
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