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IPTL 2: Indian team snares Nadal; Japan Warriors pick Paes

April 12, 2015 19:13 IST

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot. Photograph: Feng Li/Getty Images

Spanish legend Rafael Nadal will play for the Indian side in the second edition of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), where Japan Warriors will be the new franchise in the competition, scheduled to begin on December 2.

Charismatic Roger Federer had played for the Indian team in the inaugural edition but this time the Swiss star has gone to the UAE Roayls as the players draft was held in Dubai on Sunday.

IPTL founder Mahesh Bhupathi brought Federer to the Indian side in the inaugural edition after Nadal's pull out. But this time British star Andy Murray will not be part of any side.

Micromax Indian aces retained home stars Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna apart from Frenchmen Gael Monfils and Fabrice Santoro. World number nine Agnieszka Radwanska and Croat Ivan Dodig are the new members of the side.

Leander Paes

Leander Paes of India. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

India's men's doubles star Leander Paes was picked by new team Japan Warriors and he has Russian diva Maria Sharapova, home star and world number four Kei Nishikori, Marat Safin, Vasek Pospisil, Daniela Hantuchova and Lucas Pouille as his teammates.

India's number one singles player Somdev Devvarman was also part of the players draft but was not picked by any side.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic, who represented UAE Royals last year, has been picked by Singapore Slammers. He will have Nick Kyrgios, Carlos Moya and Belinda Bencic as his teammates.

US star and women World No 1 Serena Williams, who played Singapore last season, will play for Manila Maverics this time. Sabine Lisicki, Richard Gasquet, Mark Philippoussis are the other members of the side.

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