With two wins, Bangalore Raptors stay ahead of Pune Marathas

Bangalore Raptors kept their hopes alive Thursday with a 15-12 lead over Pune Marathas by winning the singles and mixed doubles matches in the Champions Tennis League (CTL) zonal tie here despite losing the second singles.

In the first men's singles, former Australian Open finalist Thomas Enqvist of Raptors beat fellow Australian Pat Cash of Marathas 6-3, after taking an early lead by breaking the former Wimbledon champion's serve in the Legends clash at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) stadium in Cubbon Park in the city centre.

In the mixed doubles, seven-time singles Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and world No.14 Spaniard Feliciano Lopez of Raptors held their nerve to beat Marathas pair of Agnieszka Radwanka and Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 6-3.

In the women's singles, however, the American Williams lost to the world's sixth ranked Polish Radwanka 6-3, as the former women's world No.1 committed too many unforced errors.

The final result will be decided on the basis of aggregate score of the five-match tie, played in the categories of Legends (singles), Mixed Doubles, Women's Singles, Men's Doubles and Men's Singles.

In their opening encounter against Hyderabad Aces Monday in Hyderabad, Raptors lost 25-27.