IPTL: Singapore Slammers Score Two Wins; Lleyton Hewitt And Nick Kyrgios Dedicate Victory To Compatriot And Cricketer Phil Hughes

The Singapore Slammers were unfortunate to score wins during the first leg of the International Premier Tennis League, or IPTL, in Manila, but they have been performing fairly well in Singapore. The Slammers have scored victories over the other two participating teams, Indian Aces and UAE Royals, during the tournament's stretch in Singapore.

The Slammers scored their first win against the previously unbeaten Aces on Dec. 2. The pressure for the Slammers, led by Pete Sampras, Serena Williams, Lleyton Hewitt, Tomas Berdych and Nick Kyrgios, was mounting, and the team certainly gave what fans have been asking for. They had a combination of 24 points and gave the Aces their first-ever defeat in the IPTL team tournament.

Hewitt and Kyrgios, who played for the mixed doubles set, dedicated their first win to fellow sportsman and compatriot cricketer Phi Hughes, whose funeral was held in Australia on the day of the match. Hughes' death came as a shock to many. Hughes suffered a tragic accident when he was hit by the ball on the head during a short delivery at a match in Sheffield Shield. Hughes never regained consciousness until his death on Nov. 27, only three days before he was supposed to celebrate his 26th birthday.

"There's a lot of people hurting back in Australia today with the funeral of a good friend, Phillip Hughes," Hewitt said via India.com. "Nick and I want to dedicate this win to him."

Hewitt and Kyrgios aren't the only tennis players to pay tribute to Hughes. Andy Murray, who represents the Manila Mavericks, previously tweeted his condolences for Hughes' death. Current World No. 3 Rafael Nadal also tweeted his sympathy for Hughes' and the relatives he left behind.

Phillip Hughes Death is so incredibly tragic... Thoughts go out to his family and to Sean Abbott in this very diificult time for them all

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) November 27, 2014

Shocked about the news of Oz's cricketer Phil Hughes. My thoughts with the family and the cricket fans

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) November 27, 2014

The Slammers scored their second win against the UAE Royals on Dec. 4. The team is currently ranked fourth with 14 points in total. The Aces remain on top of the leaderboard with 20 points despite two losses in Singapore. The Royals and the Manila Mavericks are in second and third places, with 17 points each. IPTL's third leg will be in India from Dec. 6 to Dec. 8.