Serena gets rousing welcome; Andy ends on a high
MANILA, Philippines – Andy Murray saved his best for last even as late replacement Mark Philippoussis gave the Manila Mavericks a huge lift that led to their breakthrough win in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) before an electric Sunday crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Murray finally snapped his losing spell in the tournament as he hit it off with new mixed doubles partner Kirsten Flipkens to give world no. 1 Serena Williams – who was paired with Lleyton Hewitt – a rude welcome to the tour with a statement win, 6-1.
Murray then outlasted rising Australian star Nick Kyrgios in a thrilling shootout to pull off a 6-5 win in the men’s singles that punctuated the team’s first win in the tournament.
“It was nice to finish with two wins today. It was really a good atmosphere and the way we finished, I think, was quite a nice way. We couldn’t have done it better,” Murray said.
Earlier, it was the fast-serving Philippoussis who gave the Mavericks a tremendous boost when he defeated Pat Rafter in the legends game, 6-2. The Australian legend came in late as a replacement to injured Carlos Moya.
Treat Huey played his best game in the leg with the packed arena rooting for him and his partner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as they fended off Thomas Berdych and Kyrgios in the men’s doubles, 6-5.
Huey and Tsonga did the latter’s trademark celebratory dance after winning the shootout that kept the crowd on its feet.
“Treat played really well. It seems that he’s enjoying playing with Jo-Wilfried,” Murray said.
Their 6-5 win gave the home team a comfortable 12-7 cushion. Murray and Flipken’s surprising easy win against Williams and Hewitt practically sealed the win as they took a commanding 18-8 lead.
Without world No.2 Maria Sharapova to match Williams, the Mavericks lost the women’s singles as the world No. 1 overpowered Flipkens, 6-3, in Singapore Slammers’ lone win in the match.
Murray could not have written a better ending to his first IPTL tour that he is hoping to be back next year.
“The support was amazing. The players, as well, started to understand the format and it only gets better in time. We’ve really had a good time here and we were welcomed very well,” Murray said. “I hope to come back and play more next year.”
With Murray only committed to play in the Manila leg, Tsonga will take his spot in the singles play as the Mavericks look to keep the momentum going to the next weekend leg in Singapore.