Murray, Sharapova headline IPTL Manila Leg opening day

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