Pune: Swiss star Martina Hingis prevailed over world number six Agnieszka Radwanska in a very tight women's singles match to hand Hyderabad Aces a narrow two-point lead over Pune Marathas in a do-or-die Champions Tennis League (CTL), here Monday.
Hyderabad are leading 15-13 with two matches to go in the South Group tie, the winner of which will clash with Delhi Dreams in the title clash on Wednesday.
The two players came into the match when tie was locked at 9-points all with Hyderabad winning the legends singles while hosts Pune coming back with win in the mixed doubles.
Hingis, five-time singles Grand Slam champion, took a crucial break in the third game, cashing in on unforced errors of Radwanska. The Polish send a forehand long at 0-40 to allow Hingis pull away.
Radwanska, nine years younger than Hingis, though went on offensive as she attacked the serve of the Swiss in the next game and got the break back.
Hingis yet again went ahead with a terrific winner following an engrossing rally in the eighth game but could not serve out the match as her forehand went soaring over the baseline at 30-40.
Radwanska needed to win the next game to force a tie-breaker but she handed Hingis three match points and double-faulted at 0-40 to let Hyderabad have advantage.
At the start of the tie, Mark Philippoussis beat Pat Cash 6-3 in the legends singles, creating a three-point lead.
Pune though neutralised that lead as Radwanska and Marecos Baghdatis won the mixed doubles 6-3 against Hingis and Mikhail Youzhny.
