Karlovic keys Mavs romp over Royals

MANILA, Philippines – Croatian Ivo Karlovic delivered the coup de grace as the Philippine Mavericks outclassed home team Obi UAE Royals, 26-24, to get their campaign in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) Dubai leg going Monday night at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

The towering Karlovic banked on his big serve to edge Swiss superstar Roger Federer in the deciding singles, 6-4, and put the finishing touches to the thrilling victory eked out in front of the Royals’ home supporters.

The Mavericks and the Royals were tied at 20 at the end of the fourth set, bringing the duel up to the 6-foot-11 Karlovic and Federer to settle.

Karlovic was up to the task, landing 80 percent of his first serve in and dropping five aces in outdueling Federer, who had four aces.

James Blake kicked off action for the Mavericks and scored a 6-5 squeaker over Goran Ivanisevic in the men’s legends singles. The Royals drew level with Kristina Mladenovic beating Adjla Tomjlanovic, 6-2.

The Mavericks scored again with Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Jarmila Gajdosova winning the mixed doubles in shootout, 6-5, against Kristina Mladenovic and Marin Cilic then Fil-Am Treat Huey and Roger-Vasselin hacked out a 6-4 victory over Cilic and Federer in the men’s doubles before Karlovic finished the job off.

The Mavericks improved to 5-3 with 49.2 percent winning percentage, still at fourth behind third-running Royals (3-4, 49.4 percent).

The Mavericks were slated to play defending champion Micromax Indian Aces last night. The Aces (7-1, 57.7 percent) nipped Legendari Japan Warriors, 25-18, in the Dubai leg’s opener Monday.