Paltry turnout but Ana's game
The Singapore leg of the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League 2016 (IPTL) kicked off at 5pm yesterday with just over 100 fans at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
They were there for the first match between former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of the UAE Royals and Kirsten Flipkens of the Indian Aces.
Ivanovic, the 29-year-old Serb star who won the French Open in 2008, had a positive outlook on the situation.
Now world No. 65, Ivanovic said: "It was nice, they were still supporting us and it will get a bit busier over the next few days."
ST Online reported yesterday that the organisers would offer ticket refunds, after announcing that Serena Williams and Roger Federer would not appear here less than 24 hours before the event started at the Indoor Stadium.
Organisers had heavily promoted the two stars for the event.
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TODAY’S FIXTURES:
- Japan Warriors v Indian Aces, 5pm
- OUE Singapore Slammers v UAE Royals, 8.30pm
- All at Indoor Stadium
In a tweet from the IPTL yesterday afternoon, they said that organisers would be announcing the procedures for fans to opt for ticket refunds or upgrades.
Ivanovic, who lost to Flipkens 6-3, said she enjoyed being back in Singapore, after featuring at the inaugural WTA Finals here in 2014.
"It is very nice to be back here. I always enjoy playing this competition and I have nice memories here in Singapore from 2014.
"It was very tough today, it was my first match in a while and I have kind of been out for three months.
"I practised only a little bit so it was kind of challenging, but I really hope I can improve in the next (few) matches."
The athlete made headlines earlier in the year after a glamorous wedding with Germany's World Cup-winning captain and Manchester United player Bastian Schweinsteiger in Venice, Italy.
On her new life, she said very simply: "(Life's) still the same. It was a great feeling (to be married) and I'm very happy.
"That was definitely a highlight of my year."
The Indian Aces eventually defeated UAE Royals 26-19 and it was followed by the match between the OUE Singapore Slammers and the Japan Warriors, which was still going on at press time.
The Singapore leg of the IPTL ends tomorrow.
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