Slammers too much for Warriors squad
Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena) 4 p.m. – Micromax Indian Aces vs UAE Royals 7:30 p.m. – Philippine Mavericks vs Japan Warriors
Filipino fans were treated anew to world-class tennis action after the OUE Singapore Slammers and the Legendari Japan Warriors kicked off the Manila leg of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) Manila leg last night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Slammers triumphed over the Warriors, 29-20, before an electric crowd that saw past, present and future tennis stars come together and play in a unique five-event format.
Returning IPTL player Carlos Moya and former world No. 1 Marat Safin flashed their old brilliant form, but in the end it was the 1998 French Open champion Moya who prevailed, 6-4, for the Slammers.
At one point, Safin, known for his outbursts in the court during his days, almost smashed his racket and kicked a tennis ball in frustration. But the 35year-old Russian star admitted it was because he was still getting used to the tournament format.
“I’m a little bit uncomfortable with the format. It makes me too nervous because we’re just playing one set and I’m trying to win every point I can. Hopefully we can do better in our upcoming games,” said Safin.
Doubles specialist Leander Paes and Pierre-Hugues Herbert stepped up for the Warriors and won via shootout, 6-5, over Marcelo Melo and rising star Dustin Brown, before the women’s singles match was held that featured the attractive Belinda Bencic against Japanese netter Kurumi Nara.
The 18-year-old Bencic, who rose to prominence for beating four top 10 players en route to winning the Rogers Cup this year, banked heavily on her strong baseline game to lead 4-2 for the Slammers before Mirjana LucicBaroni subbed for Nara.
Despite the change, the Swiss netter claimed the next two games to win, 6-2.
Former Grand Slam junior champion Nick Kyrgios continued the Slammers’ charge as he won via shootout over German Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-5, giving his squad enough cushion heading to the mixed doubles.
Kyrgios and Bencic returned and quickly dominated Paes and LucicBaroni, 6-3.