Berdych holds off Kyrgios as UAE Royals survive Singapore Slammers

MANILA, Philippines – In what was the closest match so far in the Manila leg of the 2015 International Premier Tennis League, the OBI UAE Royals survived a late rally by the OUE Singapore Slammers thanks to the clutch play of Tomas Berdych, 26 games to 23, on Tuesday, December 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Berdych held off Nick Kyrgios in men’s singles action during the fifth set, 6 games to 4, to clinch the win and avoid a super shoot-out.

Berdych was also in action in the prior set – the men’s doubles – where he teamed up with Daniel Nestor. But the duo were thoroughly out-played by Kyrgios and Marcelo Melo, 6-2.

The win for Kyrgios and Melo allowed the Slammers to trim an 18-13 Royals lead to 20-19, but Berdych avoided a late collapse for his team.

In the first set, Ana Ivanovic won a close one over Karolina Pliskova in women’s singles action, 6-5, thanks to a 7-5 win in the shoot-out.

In the men’s legend’s singles set, Goran Ivanisevic defeated Carlos Moya, 6-4. In mixed doubles, Nestor and Kristina Mladenovic beat Kyrgios and Belinda Bencic, 6-4.

The win improved the record of the Royals to 118-117, while the Slammers dropped to 120-123.

Results:

Ivanovic d Pliskova, 6-5 (7-5)

Ivanisevic d Moya, 6-4

Nestor/Mladenovic d Kyrgios/Bencic, 6-4

Kyrgios/Melo d Berdych/Nestor, 6-2

Berdych d Kyrgios, 6-4

– Rappler.com