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Manila Mavericks took on the UAE Royals in the penultimate match of the inaugural International Premier Tennis League (IPTL). The Slammers came into the match with just three wins in the entire tournament. Here is how the action unfolded:
Legends Singles
Mark Philippoussis took on his compatriot Pat Rafter in the first set. It was Philippoussis who was quick to take the lead after breaking Rafter’s serve in the second game. However, Rafter struck right back to level things at 2-2. Both players did not struggle much on their serve and the set went to a shoot out.
Philippoussis played a smart game not allowing Rafter many chances with his forehand and backhand winners down the line. He won the set giving the Mavericks early advantage.
Philippoussis beat Rafter 6-5.
Men’s Singles
Philipp Kohlschreiber made his IPTL debut for the Mavericks against Tomas Berdych in the second set. The German was in top form from the start as he held his service games comfortably. Berdych was put under pressure by superb returns from Kohlschreiber and was broken in the fifth and seventh games. Berdych was struggling on his first serves and the German capitalised by attacking the second serves and coming up with terrific off-forehand winners.
Kohlschreiber served out the set in the eighth game without much trouble.
Kohlschreiber beat Berdych 6-2.
Mixed Doubles
Kirsten Flipkens and Daniel Nestor faced Daniela Hantuchova and Nick Kyrgios in the third set. The Mavericks team broke the serve of Hantuchova in the fourth game to lead 3-1 in the early goings of the set. The Slammers opted for a Happiness Power Point on Flipkens’ serve at 40-30 down,but couldn’t convert it.
Kyrgios’ serve was broken in the sixth game as the Mavericks closed in on victory. The Manila team closed out the set in the eighth game breaking Hantuchova’s serve again.
Flipkens/Nestor beat Hantuchova/Kyrgios 6-2.
Men’s Doubles
Bruno Soares teamed up with Lleyton Hewitt to face Nestor and Kohlschreiber in the fourth set. Nestor was superb from the first game as he was fresh playing the mixed doubles in the last set. The Mavericks broke the serve of both Hewitt and Soares to take a 4-1 lead. However, the Mavericks broke Nestor’s serve in the sixth game to reduce the deficit. It was not to be for the Slammers as Nestor and Kohlschreiber held their nerve to close the set in the tenth game.
Nestor/Kohlschreiber beat Soares/Hewitt 6-4.
Women’s Singles
Hantuchova took on Flipkens in the final set. She had an uphill task in front of her as the Slammers trailed the Mavericks 12-24 going into the last set. Hantuchova had chances to break the serve of Flipkens in the fifth game, but failed to convert on two occasions. Flipkens converted her chances in the sixth game to go 4-2 up.
A solitary break was sufficient for Flipkens as she served an ace in the ninth game to ensure a clean sweep in their last match.
Flipkens beat Hantuchova 6-3.
Match Result: Manila Mavericks beat Singapore Slammers 30-15.
