MANILA, Philippines -- In what was anticipated to be a thrilling match turned into a one-sided affair as the streaking UAE Royals flashed their dominant form and kept the Legendari Japan Warriors winless in the tournament with a 30-15 win on Thursday in the main event of Day Two of the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennnis League Season 2 at Kobe World Hall in Kobe, Japan.
Doubles legend Daniel Nestor teamed up with Kristina Mladenovic and overwhelmed Maria Sharapova and Leander Paes, 6-0, that set the tone for the entire match.
Sharapova came back and put up a gallant effort and tried to answer Ana Ivanovic stroke for stroke but just could not finish allowing the Royals to extend their huge lead with a 6-4 victory.
Goran Ivanisevic continued his magical run in the IPTL by upstaging Marat Safin, 6-4, in the Legends singles that broke the spirits of the Warriors.
“It is my first time, so it’s a bit complicated for me. It’s a different feeling to get used to, and then the shot clock and the power point got to my head. But I will be more prepared for the next game,” Safin said.
Nestor and Tomas Berdych outlasted Paes and Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 6-4, in the men's doubles play. Berdych completed the sweep with a short work of Philip Kohlschreiber, 6-3, in the men' singles.
The Warriors will try to salvage some measure of pride at home when they take on the Philippine Mavericks in the final day of the Japan leg while the Royals get some much needed rest before the league swings to Manila for the second leg starting on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.