Indian Aces beat UAE Royals

Manila, November 30
Indian Aces notched up their third win on the trot with a 28-20 victory over UAE Royals in the battle of two unbeaten sides in an International Premier Tennis League match here today. After today’s win, Indian Aces topped the table after the Manila leg to emerge early front-runners in the tournament.
The Indian side began with a loss with Ana Ivanovic going down fighting 6-4 to Kristina Mladenovic in the women’s singles. The battle of the in-form players was a thrilling one with Ivanovic almost making a sensational comeback from 1-5 down before eventually losing.
Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna registered a 6-3 win over Mladenovic and Nenad Zimonjic and the Aces took the advantage with Bopanna partnering the crowd favorite Gael Monfils to a 6-4 victory over Zimonjic and Marin Cilic in the men’s doubles.
In the men’s singles clash, Cilic pulled out early, due to an injury, against Monfils, but Malek Jaziri was a more than capable substitute. However, the creative Frenchman Monfils pulled off a 6-3 win.
The legends’ singles was the tie worth waiting for, with big serves and entertaining shot-making from Goran Ivanisevic and Fabrice Santoro. Frenchman Santoro emerged 6-4 winner to complete the dominance by Indian Aces.
Monfils was later all praise for the kind of tennis being played in the tournament. “I love this format. This suits me well. I love the team atmosphere. We have fun out there.  Actually we’re good friends — Ana, Sania — we grew up together. It’s a good competition because we have fun,” he said. Monfils also commented on the use of a coach’s substitution. “I was surprised with the substitution. Malek is tough but I think I was in great shape. After three wins, I feel great, I feel strong.”
Serena makes debut
World No. 1 Serena Williams had her hands full against unheralded Kristen Flipkens in her IPTL debut for Singapore Slammers.
Williams scored a 6-3 victory over Flipkens in her team’s 27-19 loss to Manila Mavericks. Flipkens also played her first match, filling in for Maria Sharapova, who left the country Sunday morning.
Williams had a shaky start in the mixed doubles where she and Lleyton Hewitt yielded to Andy Murray and Flipkens 6-1. But she loosened up in her singles match and gave the crowd glimpses of her world-class form.
However, Williams’ arrival was still not enough as the Slammers failed to win in the Manila leg. The tournament now shifts to Singapore from Dec. 2-4. — Agencies