IPTL: Berdych seals Royals’ thrilling win over Slammers

World No.5 Tomas Berdych out-duelled Australian star Nick Kyrgios in the final set to seal the UAE Royals’ 26-23 squeaker over the Singapore Slammers in the final day of the 2015 IPTL Manila leg Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Trailing, 30-40, in the ninth game, the 30-year-old Berdych used the Royals’ last powerpoint and scored on a drop shot to clinch the match, 6-4.

“It’s always a pleasure to win especially if it’s the deciding one,” Berdych told reporters.

Former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic got it going for the Royals after outlasting rising star Karolina Pliskova, 6-5 (7-5) in a shootout in the first set. The Royals, who chalked up their first and only victory in Manila, nearly swept the Slammers with the men’s doubles their only setback.

Kyrgios and Brazilian Marcelo Melo destroyed Berdych and Canadian Daniel Nestor, 6-2, for the Slammers’ only set win.

Goran Ivanisevic followed Ivanovic’s gusty victory after repulsing old rival Carlos Moya, 6-4, in the legends singles.

“We had a good start in Japan and we lost our mojo a little bit,” said the 44-year-old Ivanisevic, who acknowledged being the oldest player in the tournament. “They beat us badly, the Aces and the Mavericks. This is a good win for us to get our rhythm back.”

After going 2-0 in the first leg of the tournament in Kobe, Japan, the Royals dropped two straight here. They lost to the Philippine Mavericks, 29-18, on Sunday before taking a beating at the hands of the defending champions Indian Aces, 30-18, Monday night.

“We’re back in the fight. It’s a great feeling to finish our match here in Manila,” Berdych said.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Serena Williams, PH Mavericks rout UAE Royals

Serena Williams dominated and so did the Philippine Mavericks in a 29-18 win over the UAE Royals in the opening day of the 2015 International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) Manila leg Sunday before a sizeable crowd at Mall of Asia Arena.

Williams, regarded as one of the best women’s tennis players ever, beat Serbian star Ana Ivanovic, 6-3, in women’s singles before the Mavericks’ pair of Richard Gasquet and Édouard Roger-Vasselin also hacked out a 6-3 victory over Tomas Berdych and Daniel Nestor in men’s doubles in the night cap.

“So excited to be here playing for the Mavericks,” said the 34-year-old Williams, who made her second visit in Manila after suiting up for the Singapore Slammers last year in the inaugural season of the IPTL.

The Filipinos came to see Williams and the current world No.1 did not disappoint.

During one of the intervals, Williams busted out a few dance moves as the rap song “Trap Queen” played to the delight of the crowd.

“It’s very fun and super cool,” Williams said of the atmosphere.

The Mavericks also drew convincing wins from Mark Philippoussis and Milos Raonic. Philippoussis destroyed Goran Ivanisevic, 6-2, in the legend’s match while Raonic, the fast rising star from Canada, turned back Berdych, 6-4.

The Royals’ only victory was when Kristina Mladenovic and Nestor survived Fil-American Treat Huey and Williams in a shootout in the mixed doubles, 7-6.

The win propelled the Mavericks in first place with a 2-1 record. The Royals also own the same slate but won fewer games to settle in second place.

The Mavericks take on the Japan Warriors, who have yet to win in four games, on Monday at 7:30 p.m. after Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal and the Indian Aces clash with the Royals at 4:00 p.m.

Nadal, who has 14 Grand Slam singles titles, will play in front of the Filipino crowd for the first time.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Tennis: Dancing Federer hails new IPTL as ‘crazy but fun’

NEW DELHI — World number two Roger Federer hailed the new International Premier Tennis League as “crazy but fun” after sauntering through his debut matches in the Indian capital on Sunday.

A laughing and joking Federer downed Czech world number seven Tomas Berdych in the new team competition’s third leg in New Delhi, where the Swiss veteran was playing for the first time.

The normally composed and focused Federer was clearly enjoying himself during his three matches in front of Indian fans including Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and cricketing great Sunil Gavaskar.

After winning his doubles and mixed doubles matches with Indian teammates Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna, Federer celebrated with a courtside dance, before teammate France’s Gael Monfils joined in.

“It’s crazy but it’s good fun. I definitely think there’s a place for this,” Federer said, adding, “It’s competitive, it’s serious but it’s still light-hearted.”

Federer’s Indian Aces defeated the Singapore Slammers 26 points to 16 in the competition which has a quickfire format, including one-set matches hurried along by a 20-second serve clock.

Federer, who has never played in India before, said the experience “was big, it was loud, it was different.”

Federer said he was unsure how much extra tennis he would play next year, and would make a decision on his schedule after the Australian Open in January.

“I gotta be careful not to overplay, clearly. I gotta still decide on Davis Cup, what I’m going to do there,” the 33-year-old said courtside.

“But I’ll have a look after the Australian Open. That’s when I will decide how much I’m going to play next season,” said Federer, who holds a record 17 Gram Slam titles.

“I’m going to play a full schedule like normal but the question is how much more will I add or not.”

Federer is expected to take on Novak Djokovic on Monday night in Delhi for his Indian Aces team before the competition moves on to the final leg in Dubai.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Ivanovic beats Sharapova in IPTL showdown

MANILA, Philippines—Ana Ivanovic bested Maria Sharapova in their International Premier Tennis League showdown on Saturday night.

The two crowd-darlings went head-to-head with Ivanovic beating Sharapova, 6-3, in a keenly awaited clash between two former world No. 1 players that had the fans at the Mall of Asia at the edge of their seats the entire time.

“It was fun,” the Serbian beauty Ivanovic said just moments after capping the Micromax Indian Aces’ 24-15 win over the Manila Mavericks to the delight of the crowd. “I’ve been really happy being on the court and I’m enjoying my life.”

The 27-year-old Russian Sharapova, currently ranked No. 2, pulled ahead, 1-0, before Ivanovic won the next four.

Sharpova rallied from 2-5 down to beat Kristina Mladenovic on Friday and it seemed as if she was up for another comeback when she returned a volley and was a point away from taking a set.

But the Aces strategically called a power point, which amounts to two points, and Ivanovic was able to make full use of it after Sharpova fell short on her attempt.

The Mavericks dropped to 0-2 while the Aces hiked their record to 2-0.

source: sports.inquirer.net