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