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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and legendary Roger Federer delighted fans on their India debut as home team Indian Aces scored their second straight win of the IPTL at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here on Sunday.
Indian Aces, comprising heavyweights Federer and retired Pete Sampras, pummelled Singapore Slammers 26-16 in the first match.
Djokovic made an unexpected appearance in the night match but his UAE Royals lost to Manila Mavericks 24-27.
The tournament format features matches of one set, which can be decided by a four-minute shootout at 5-5 in place of the usual tiebreaker.
Early on Sampras, who arrived here on Sunday, pounded a few aces against Patrick Rafter that took back fans to the days when he ruled the sport.
However, lack of match practice cost him and he lost 2-6 to Rafter, putting the home team on the back foot.
The 15,000 capacity was only half full despite the presence of a star studded line-up on the court. Soon came the moment the whole of India was waiting for, Federer playing for the first time in the country and it was a mixed doubles match alongside Sania Mirza. The duo hardly broke a sweat, dispatching Nick Kyrgios and Daniela Hantuchova 6-0 to get Aces back to level terms.
"It is so special to be here. Thank you guys. I have been getting special treatment ever since I have arrived here," said Federer in a court side interview.
Asked about playing mixed doubles for a change, he said: "It is something I don't get to do often but it was fun. I think I have only played with Martina (Navratilova), Hingis (Martina), my wife (Mirka) and now Sania." His every move drew a loud roar from the crowd. He was back on the court to play men's doubles with Rohan Boppanna.
He alongside the Indian doubles specialist easily brushed aside the challenge of Lleyton Hewitt and Kyrgios 6-1. The men's singles was expected to be the most intense match of the day with second ranked Federer and world No 7 Tomas Berdych taking on each other. Federer did not take it easy even after playing back-to-back sets, producing enough to beat Berdych 6-4.
"It's my first time in India playing tennis, so it's a big deal for me. I thought it's a great innovation, people seem happy to see me, I was excited when I saw the lights flashing while introducing me, it was a goose-bump atmosphere.
