Match: Singapore Slammers v Japan Warriors
Date: 10 December, Saturday
Time: 6:30pm SGT/4pm IST/10:30am GMT
Venue: Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad
Competition: International Premier Tennis League, India leg.
TV Channel: Hub Sports 1 will provide live TV coverage in Singapore.
Live Streaming: The match can be watched online at IPTL TV.
Overview
Singapore Slammers take on Japan Warriors in what is touted be a virtual semi-final of IPTL 2016 in Hyderabad on 10 December. With table-toppers Indian Aces, who are sitting pretty with 17 points in seven games, having qualified for the final, Slammers (11) and Warriors (13) will battle for another spot of the title match. Both the teams will need nothing less than a win on Saturday at the Gachibowli Stadium.
If the Slammers win and even if the Warriors clinch a bonus point by winning a minimum of 20 games, it will be the Singapore-based team who will be joining the Aces in the final as Slammers have won 17 more games than the Warriors, who have managed only 154 despite their second position on the points table.
Also see: Here is how the points table look like ahead of the final group stage matches
It has been a contrasting campaign for the two teams who are battling for the final spot. While Slammers made the most of their home leg by winning two out of three, Aces managed only one at home despite having Kei Nishikori at the stage of the tournament.
However, Warriors edged past Slammers by winning the first match of the last leg in India against a hapless UAE Royals, who have not won a game since the completion of Japan leg. The Singapore unit lost their game against the Indian Aces, who were looking on top of their game at home.
The onus will be on Kiki Bertens, who has been performing consistently in the Women's singles category despite the absence of Slammers' star signing Serena Williams. Carlos Moya and Marcelo Melo, who also has won the most number of points this season, have also made solid contributions.
Nick Kyrgios, who decimated 6-0 by Feliciano Lopez on Friday, will be up against Fernando Verdasco, who has hit form recently. Singapore's mixed doubles pairing will also be tested against Jelena Jankovic and Jean Roger.
TV Schedule
Thailand: Sports Gateway
Malaysia: Sports Gateway
Vietnam: Sports Gateway
Indonesia: Sports Gateway
Australia: Sports Gateway
Japan: WoWoW INC
US: Tennis Channel
India: Star Sports
Switzerland: MCS
Brazil: ESPN
Spain: Sports Gateway
