Last set almost seals comeback
Thursday 11 December 2014 19:10, UK
The Indian Aces held off the Singapore Slammers to win their IPTL clash 28-24, despite the best efforts of Tomas Berdych.
The Aces had easily wrapped up the first four sets on the first day of the IPTL in Dubai but the fifth and final set made for a nerve-wracking finale thanks to Berdych's refusal to concede defeat.
Trailing 24-16 going into the final set, Berdych first earned the Slammers a maiden win of the day, beating Monfils 6-3. This forced a 'super shoot-out' in which Berdych was afforded the opportunity to play as many games as necessary to close the score deficit until Monfils interrupted with a game of his own.
The Slammers' world number seven was on a roll and racked up two more games, creating a tense finish but Monfils calmed his team's nerves by winning his fourth game and ending the set, and the match.
Previously in the Aces' four set wins, Ana Ivanovic beat Daniela Hantuchova 6-5 in the opener. Fabrice Santoro edged Pat Rafter 6-3 in the legends set before a pair of doubles wins. Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza beat Bruno Soares and Hantuchova 6-5 before Monfils and Bopanna beat Lleyton Hewitt and Soares 6-3 - setting up a grandstand finish between Monfils and Berdych.
Late
UAE Royals won their first home match against the Manila Mavericks 26-25 - despite losing three of five sets including Novak Djokovic's outing.
Caroline Wozniacki gave the hosts a great start, beating Kirsten Flipkens 6-2 but the Royals lost the next three sets. Goran Ivanisevic and Djokovic lost in singles action to Mark Philippoussis and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, respectively.
Nenad zimonjic and Kristina Mladenovic were defeated 6-4 by the Mavericks' Daniel Nestor and Flipkens but the Royals secured a nervy win with a shoot-out in the final set.
After drawing 5-5, Zimonjic and Marin Cilic edged Nestor and Tsonga to send the Dubai fans home happy.
The Aces remain top of the pile with 34 points with second-placed UAE Royals on 31. The Mavericks have 29 and the Slammers trail with 19 heading into the penultimate day on Friday.
The action resumes on Friday at midday on Sky Sports 3.
