
The Manila Mavericks finally got over the hump and decisively trumped the DBS Singapore Slammers, 27-19, to win their first-ever match in the 2014 Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) presented by Qatar Airways.
Mark Philippoussis, who came on as a substitute for the injured Carlos Moya, set the trend for the Mavericks, which then won the succeeding matches in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles ties.
The Australian former No. 8 Philippoussis defeated compatriot Patrick Rafter, 6-2, to give the hometown fans something to cheer about.
In the second set, not even a major adjustment by Singapore in bringing in Nick Kyrgios for Lleyton Hewitt could stop the duo of Jo-Wilfreid Tsonga and playing-coach Treat Huey from pulling off a 6-5 result over Tomas Berdych and Kyrgios.
Then, Andy Murray finally found the right partner in Kirsten Flipkens to rout the star-studded partnership of Hewitt and the debuting Serena Williams, 6-1, and inflate their advantage further to a whopping 18-8.
But Williams, who arrived earlier on Sunday just in time for the final matchday, pulled one back for Singapore over Flipkens, 6-3.
Murray, however, had other plans in putting away Nick Kyrgios in the final set, 6-5, after pulling off three consecutive games including the five minute shootout, 7-5.
Both teams will meet again on December 2, when the circuit makes their stop in Singapore.



