New Delhi, Delhi, India, 17 November 2014 | AFP/AAP

Former Australian tennis stars Pat Cash and Mark Philippoussis are set to clash first up in India’s new Champions Tennis League.

The single-set format league starting on Monday is the brainchild of former India Davis Cup star player Vijay Amritraj, who says it is designed to promote Indian tennis by exposing local players to some of the world’s best current and former players.

Cash (Pune Marathas) and Philippoussis (Hyderabad Aces), both playing in the legends category, will go head-to-head when their teams meet in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Venus Williams, Greg Rusedski and Martina Hingis have also signed up for the 10-day, six-team league.

Other stars expected to play include Juan Carlos Ferrero and Thomas Enqvist, along with current men’s world No.14 Feliciano Lopez and women’s No.6 Agnieszka Radwanska.

But the league suffered a setback even before it started when top attraction, world No.10 David Ferrer, pulled out with a back injury.

The teams – Punjab Marshalls, Bangalore Raptors, Delhi Dreams, Hyderabad Aces, Mumbai Masters and Pune Marathas – are owned by local companies.

The winning team will pocket the top prize of 10 million rupees ($163,000).

The first to reach six games is declared the winner of a match, while a nine-point tie-breaker will be enforced if the score reaches 5-5.