Aces win 1st IPTL; Mavs finish 3rd

(This post also appears on ManilaMavericks.net)

MANILA, Philippines – The Micromax Indian Aces are the champions of the first International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), wrapping up the tournament with a 28-23 triumph over the Manila Mavericks in Dubai.

Aces' Fabrice Santoro gave Mark Philippoussis the latter's first defeat in the tournament, 6-3, in the first set.

Gael Monfils prevailed over another Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, widening the lead for the Aces, 6-2.

The third set was won by the Aces' mixed doubles partnership of Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza, 6-4, against Daniel Nestor and Kirsten Flipkens.

Ana Ivanovic continued the winning streak for the Aces, trumping Flipkens, 6-3.

The fifth set saw Nestor and Tsonga giving the Mavericks the chance to take the match, but ultimately failed against Bopanna and Monfils, 11-4.

The Aces ended the tournament atop the rankings with aggregate points of 38, while the Mavericks are in third place with an aggregate score of 31.