Warriors deal Mavericks big loss

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Mavericks bowed to the Japan Warriors, 29-15, last night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and suffered another big blow in their bid to win this year’s International Premier Tennis League title.

The Mavericks entertained hopes of a big rally in the fifth and final leg after losing three of four matches in the New Delhi and Dubai stops.

But the Warriors, who lost twice to the Mavericks heading to Singapore, saved their best for last and closed their inaugural stint in the IPTL with the huge win over the Mavericks.

The Warriors won only two of 11 matches, the other victory coming at the expense of the UAE Royals.

Marat Safin triggered the Warriors’ surprise win over the Mavericks with a 6-3 win over James Blake in the legends’ singles before Kurumi Nara whipped Jarmila Gajdosova, 6-1, in the women’s singles.

Leander Paes and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni added up to the Mavericks’ woes for the day by scoring a 6-2 win over Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gajdosova in mixed doubles.

Fil-American Treat Huey stopped the bleeding when they turned back Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Paes in men’s doubles, 6-5, in the toughest set of the day.

Herbert capped the Warriors’ inspired performance by beating Ivo Karlovic in men’s singles, 6-3.

The Mavericks, who sourly missed the services of Serena Williams, Milos Raonic and Mark Philippoussis in the closing legs, took their fifth defeat in 10 matches.

Still in fourth place, the Mavericks will play the UAE Royals tonight, hoping for a big win that may keep their flickering hopes alive. The Mavericks beat the Royals twice in the previous legs.

Defending champion Indian Aces face the second-running Singapore Slammers. Unless the Slammers are swept in the five matches, the two teams will most likely figure in tomorrow’s finals.