Megastars of tennis due for MOA bash

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino tennis fans brace for an explosive three-day top-level competition featuring world’s superstars Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Andy Murray when the International Premier Tennis League is held Nov. 28-30 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Sharapova, winner of 32 WTA singles crowns, and Murray, the reigning Wimbledon champion, will banner the Manila Mavericks team slugging it out with three other Asian squads vying for the top $1 million purse with Williams teaming up with Daniela Hantuchova and Patrick Rafter in the Singapore Slammers team.

Ana Ivanovic, Gael Monfils and Fabrice Santoro make up the Indian Aces while the UAE Royals will be bannered by Goran Ivanisevic, Eugenie Bouchard and Richard Gasquet.

Joining Sharapova in the Manila Mavericks squad are Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, legend Carlos Moya, Daniel Nestor, Belgium’s 2013 Sportswoman of the Year Kirsten Flipkens and Fil-Am Davis Cupper Treat Huey.

The other players of the other teams will be named in the next few weeks.

Organizers said the unique event, the biggest tennis competition to be held in the country, has garnered P23 million in initial ticket sales, easily making it the sports event of the year.

The competition will feature two matches each day with five sets per match, including the men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and the legends’ singles.

Meanwhile, each season pass entitles the holder to watch the games in all three days. For details, visit www.premiertennisleague.com and www.smtickets.com.

The Philippines is the first stop of four cities with the Manila Mavericks to likewise represent the Philippines in the other legs with the winning team to receive $1 million.

Manila kicks off its bid against UAE at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 28 after the 4 p.m. duel between India and Singapore. Manila will take on India on Nov. 29, also at 7:30 p.m., after the 4 p.m. clash between UAE and Singapore, while the Manila-Singapore faceoff is set No. 30, also at 7:30 p.m., after the 4 p.m. showdown between UAE and India.