MANILA, Philippines – This time, experience prevailed.
In a Rogers Cup first-round match-up between two Philippine Mavericks Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Borna Coric, it was the 10th-seeded dancing Frenchman who emerged victorious.
Tsonga needed only 68 minutes to weather the storm from young and gritty Borna Coric, 6-4, 6-4.
After their Tuesday (Manila time) match was postponed, Tsonga bounced back as the stronger one, firing a total of 11 aces and winning 83% of his first serves.
This is the first time Tsonga has won after falling to Andy Murray in the Davis Cup. He remains poised for a title defense in the Canadian Open.
Meanwhile, the Frenchman has just dealt the young Croat his third straight loss.
They've met eight times now with Tsonga winning five meetings.
The two are expected to join high profile names in Serena Williams, Richard Gasquet and hometown hero Treat Huey in the International Premier Tennis League's second season this December.
The IPTL will mount its second leg here in Manila.