MANILA, Philippines - Ana Ivanovic was simply the better player last night, beating Maria Sharapova, 6-3, in a highly anticipated battle between two gorgeous players at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ivanovic continued to charm the crowd with her good looks and a steady game. She was never in trouble during the match despite dropping the opening game.
The 27-year-old Serbian watched Sharapova hit a backhand wide to wrap up the match and give the Indian Aces a 24-15 win over the Manila Mavericks.
It was the second win for the Aces who defeated the Singapore Slammers the other night, 26-16. The loss was the second for the Mavericks following a 24-29 setback against the UAE Royals on opening day.
Ivanovic thanked the crowd for cheering the players on.
“They’re really passionate about their tennis,” said Ivanovic, who swapped high fives with her teammates after the final point of the match.
Also scoring points for the Indian Aces were Gael Monfils with his fun-filled 6-4 win over Andy Murray, Fabrice Santoro with a 6-1 victory over Daniel Nestor and the doubles pair of Rohan Bonanna and Sania Mirza in a 6-1 win over Murray and Sharapova.
Only the doubles pair of Treat Huey and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga scored a win for the Mavericks, a 6-0 decision against Bopanna and Monfils.
Earlier, the young and the old worked wonders for the UAE Royals.
Kristina Mladenovic, a 21-year-old French-Serbian who is still seeking her first big win, drove past Daniela Hontuchova, 6-1, in the women’s singles.
Then Goran Ivanisevic, a 43-year-old Yugoslavian who once won the Wimbledon crown, outlasted Pat Rafter in the shootout, 6-5, in their legends match.
The two victories highlighted the UAE Royals’ 28-22 victory over the Singapore Slammers and kept the Royals in command of this event offering $1 million to the champion team.
Ivanisevic and Rafter slugging it out in the court brought back memories of their golden days.
“It’s always pleasant to play Pat. It brings back memories. To me he still has the best volley in the game,” said Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon champion.
Rafter won the US Open twice, and Ivanisevic recalled that in one of them he fell victim to the 41-year-old Australian.
“He’s still a hell of a player. Only today I served unbelievably well,” said Ivanisevic.
The IPTL moves to Singapore for the second leg from Dec. 2 to 4, then to New Delhi from Dec. 6 to 8 and Dubai for the final stop from Dec. 11 to 13.
Marin Cilic of Croatia survived Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, 6-4, in the men’s singles.
The Slammers, still awaiting the arrival of top gun Serena Williams, relied on Nick Kyrgios and Berdych to win the men’s doubles against Nenad Zimonjik and Cilic, 6-5. Bruno Soares and
Hantuchova also delivered for Singapore in the mixed doubles, beating Zimonjic and Mladenovic, 6-5.
Mladenovic, who lost to Sharapova in Friday’s singles, made sure she’d get the win against Hantuchova.
After the victory, she spoke briefly at centercourt.
“I’m just here to give my best,” she said. “And so far I’m enjoying my stay here.”