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The Indian Aces came into the match against the Manila Mavericks having lost their first match of the tournament yesterday, to the Singapore Slammers. Manila Mavericks on the other hand were looking to climb up the points table after a narrow defeat against the UAE Royals.
There was a lot at stake on the last day of Singapore hosting the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League, and that showed in the intensity levels of the players. But in the end it was the Mavericks who were left smiling, as they handed the Aces their second consecutive defeat after a hard-fought battle. Here’s a blow-by-blow account of how the action unfolded:
Legends’ singles
Cedric Pioline replaced Fabrice Santoro in the legends’ singles set for the Indian Aces. But the Frenchman had his task cut out, as he was up against an in-form Mark Philippoussis.
Pioline started off with a bang, breaking the Australian’s serve in the first game and holding his serve with ease to go 2-0 up. But Philippoussis hit back in the fourth game thanks to a slew of unforced errors from Pioline.
The Aces took the Happiness Power Point when Philippoussis was up 40-30 in the ninth game. Unfortunately for them though, Pioline hit his forehand long giving the Mavericks a 5-4 lead. Pioline was under pressure in the 10th game at 15-40, but managed to get to deuce with a first serve and a forehand error from Philippoussis. However, the Mavericks won the deciding point to grab the initiative.
Result: Philippoussis beat Pioline 6-4.
Women’s singles
Ana Ivanovic took on Kirsten Flipkens in the second set. The Aces took the early lead after Flipkens netted a forehand at break point. However, Ivanovic could not hold the advantage as a brilliant forehand return off the Serb’s first serve helped the Mavericks to level things at 1-1.
Ivanovic struck back in the third game and was dominant on her next service game to take a 3-1 lead. Flipkens then netted another forehand at break point down in the seventh game to give the Serb a 5-2 advantage.
Ivanovic eventually held her serve to take the set despite the Mavericks opting for a Happiness Power Point at 15-15.
Result: Ivanovic beat Flipkens 6-2.
Mixed doubles
Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna took on doubles specialist Daniel Nestor and Kirsten Flipkens in the third set. The Indian duo were unbeaten before this encounter, having won all five of their sets to start the tournament.
The Mavericks team were impressive from the start though, and a couple of breaks of serve helped them register a comfortable win. The Indian pair had an off day as they committed a lot of unforced errors and struggled on their serve.
Result: Nestor/Flipkens beat Bopanna/Mirza 6-2.
Men’s doubles
Bopanna and Gael Monfils faced off against Treat Huey and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth set of the match. Tsonga and Huey broke early in the set thanks to some brilliant volleying from Huey.
Tsonga was cheeky near the net, playing drop shots at will, and was effective on the baseline as well with his powerful forehands. The Mavericks team took the set through a Happiness Power Point in the eighth game at 30-40 down with a superb backhand lob from Huey.
Result: Tsonga/Huey beat Monfils/Bopanna 6-2.
Men’s singles
With the Mavericks leading the Aces 20-14 going into the last set, Monfils had to win it 6-0 to take the match to a Super Shootout. However, he was off to a bad start as Tsonga broke him in his very first service game.
Monfils came back strongly to take the next four games, but the set was much closer than Monfils would have liked as Tsonga broke back once and then held serve to make it 4-5.
Ultimately, Monfils remained solid on his serve in the 10th game to win the set 6-4.
Result: Monfils beat Tsonga 6-4.
The Mavericks led the Aces 24-20 after Monfils held serve in the 10th game. But since they hadn’t won the last game, the match was not over yet. Monfils had to win four games on the trot to take the match to a Super Shootout.
However, Tsonga held his serve in the very next game, making sure the Mavericks registered their third win in the Coca-Cola IPTL by the score of 25-20.
