Skip to content

IPTL: Indian Aces secure title with eventful victory over Manila Mavericks

Aces take top spot despite marathon super shoot-out

Image: Indian Aces: Secured top spot in the IPTL

The Indian Aces became the first International Premier Tennis League champions after a 28-23 win over Manila Mavericks.

The Delhi-based team strolled to four one-sided wins, but were forced to endure the most nerve-wracking super shoot-out of the competition, and were crowned as champions after title rivals UAE Royals slipped to a 23-21 defeat against Singapore Slammers.  

Seizing command from the start, the Aces appeared to be cruising to a crucial victory, but the fifth and final set dramatically reduced their margin of victory and provided a fittingly tense finale.

Daniel Nestor and Joe-Wilfried Tsonga of the Mavericks beat Rohan Bopanna and Gael Monfils 6-3 initiating a super shoot-out which went further than any seen in the IPTL so far.

The Mavericks pair reeled off a further five consecutive games until Bopanna and Monfils made it 11-4, ending the set with a heavy defeat, but allowing the Aces to escape with an overall win.

More from Iptl 2014

Victory for the Royals in the later game would have extended the race for top spot into Saturday, but the Aces cannot be caught on the final day of the competition. 

Earlier in the Aces’ four straight sets, Fabrice Santoro handed Mark Philippoussis a first legend's loss. Monfils then thrashed Tsonga 6-2 in singles action.

Bopanna and Sania Mirza edged Nestor and Kirsten Flipkens 6-4 before Ana Ivanovic make quick work of Flipkens, giving the Aces a huge lead which they nearly squandered in the final frame.

You can watch the last two matches of the International Premier Tennis League this Saturday on Sky Sports 3, starting at noon. 

Around Sky