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MANILA, Philippines – The sport of tennis is about to take a major leap forward in the Philippines as the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) is scheduled to open on Friday, November 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena, with the game’s grandest names expected to perform in front of a Filipino crowd.
The biggest stars expected to perform in day one includes two-time singles grand slam winner Andy Murray, five-time singles grand slam winner Maria Sharapova, singles grand slam winner Ava Ivanovic, and many others.
“We’ve received an incredible welcome here in Manila and we’re looking forward to great matches this weekend,” IPTL Chief Executive Officer Morgan Menahem said during the tournament’s official press conference at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel on Thursday, November 27.
There will be four teams participating in the IPTL.
Murray and Sharapova will be part of Team Manila Mavericks along with playing-coach Treat Huey, Daniel Nestor, Kirsten Flipkens, Carlos Moya, and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
In day one of the three-day Manila leg of the IPTL, the Mavericks will go up against the UAE Royals, which will consist of Marin Cilic, Kristina Mladenovic, Nenad Zimonjic, and Goran Ivanisevic.
The Indian Aces, whom the Manila Mavericks will face in day two on Saturday, November 29, will comprise of Ivanovic, Gael Monfils, Rohan Bopanna, and Fabrice Santoro.
Day three on Sunday, November 30, will see the Manila team face the Singapore Slammers, which is highlighted by 18-time singles grand slam winner Serena Williams, Tomas Berdych, Bruno Soares, Lleyton Hewitt, Daniela Hantuchova, and Patrick Rafter.
Here’s the full schedule for the three-day spectacle:
Day 1: Friday, November 28, MOA Arena:
4:00 pm: Indian Aces vs. Singapore Slammers
Men’s singles: Monfils vs. Berdych
Women’s singles: Ivanovic vs. Hantuchova
Men’s doubles: Monfils and Bopanna vs. Soares and Hewitt
Mixed doubles: Sania and Boppana vs. Hantuchova and Soares
Past champions singles: Santoro vs. Rafter
7:30 pm: Manila Mavericks vs. UAE Royals
Men’s singles: Murray vs. Cilic
Women’s singles: Sharapova vs. Mladenovic
Men’s singles: Huey and Nestor vs. Cilic and Zimonjic
Mixed doubles: Flipkens and Huey vs. Mladenovic and Zimonjic
Past champions singles: Moya vs. Ivanisevic
Day 2: Saturday, November 29, MOA Arena
4:00 pm: UAE Royals vs. Singapore Slammers
Men’s singles: Cilic vs. Hewitt
Women’s singles: Mladenovic vs. Hantuchova
Men’s singles: Cilic and Zimonjic vs. Berdych and Soares
Mixed doubles: Mladenovic and Zimonjic vs. Hantuchova and Soares
Past champions singles: Ivanisevic vs. Rafter
7:30 pm: Manila Mavericks vs. Indian Aces
Men’s singles: Murray vs. Monfils
Women’s singles: Sharapova vs. Ivanovic
Men’s doubles: Huey and Tsonga vs. Monfils and Bopanna
Mixed doubles: Flipkens and Nestor vs. Sania and Bopanna
Past champions singles: Moya vs. Santoro
Day 3: Sunday, November 30, MOA Arena
4:00 pm: UAE Royals vs. Indian Aces
Men’s singles: Cilic vs. Monfils
Women’s singles: Mladenovic vs. Ivanovic
Men’s doubles: Zimonjic and Cilic vs. Monfils and Bopanna
Mixed doubles: Mladenovic and Zimonjic vs. Sania and Bopanna
Past champions singles: Ivanisevic vs. Santoro
7:30 pm: Manila Mavericks vs. Singapore Slammers
Men’s singles: Murray vs. Berdych
Women’s singles: Flipkens vs. Williams
Men’s doubles: Nestor and Huey vs. Soares and Hewitt
Mixed doubles: Flipkens and Huey vs. Williams and Soares
Past champions singles: Moya vs. Rafter
Note: matchups are subject to change 25 minutes prior to the contest
New format
After the Manila leg, the IPTL will take place until December 13 with matches also being held in Singapore, New Delhi, and Dubai. A total of $1 million is on the line in the tournament, which will use a new scoring format its matches.
“We are adding flavor to the game,” Menahem said about the new format that will reportedly lead to more fast-paced matches and are more TV-friendly.
Each fixture between two teams include five matches: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles, and past champions singles.
A 20-second shot clock will be utilized between points of every match. In the scenario of a 5-5 tie, the two players (for singles matches) or teams (for doubles matches) will take part in a four-minute shootout instead of the traditional tiebreaker.
The winning team per fixture will be determined by the aggregating games won from all five matches instead of the results of each match. Those competing can also call for a “power point” once per set before serving, giving them the chance to score double on their next point.
“The format is something brand new,” said Menahem.
– Rappler.com
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