UAE Royals ease to IPTL victory

Sport360 staff 18:12 08/12/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic celebrates with his UAE Royals team-mates.

    The UAE Royals got back to winning ways with a convincing victory over Singapore Slammers on the third day of the Coca-Cola IPTL tournament in Manila.

    Former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic got her team off to a perfect start with a narrow 6-5 victory over Czech star Karolina Pliskova before 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic rolled back the years with a vintage display against former World No.1 Carlos Moya, defeating the Spaniard 6-4 in the second set.

    – Abu Dhabi: Ferrer returns for title tilt
    – Olympics: Federer and Hingis set to team-up in doubles
    – IPTL: Dubai set for Roger Federer and Andy Murray
    – #360stats: A history of the Davis Cup final over the years
    – Abu Dhabi: Sports Council interested in hosting ATP event

    Although both teams traded victories in the mixed and men’s doubles respectively, Tomas Berdych wrapped up the fifth set and a 26-23 win for the Royals in a bruising encounter with Australian Nick Kyrgios.

    “It was important for us to win today, to get our confidence back, to find our rhythm,” Croatian star Ivanisevic admitted post-match, before the tournament moves onto Delhi in India for the next leg.

    “The last two matches, we were badly beaten by the Mavericks and the Aces, and the team was desperate for a win today. It’s a tough competition, even if you lose the match, it’s important to win as many games as possible since every game counts.

    “The team is working really hard, its very competitive and clearly nobody wants to lose… you want to win it for the team, and that’s what’s great about the IPTL! I’m the oldest legend in the IPTL, at 44 its hard but I’m loving the competition, and I want to win it for my team.”

    Recommended