MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Mavericks edged the OBI UAE Royals, 26-24, to breathe life to their title hopes in the Dubai leg of the International Premier Tennis League at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium Tuesday.
With the match tied at 20-all, Ivo Karlovic came to the rescue and shocked Roger Federer, 6-4, for the decisive victory that helped improved the Mavericks' record to 5-3 (win-loss) while sending the Royals to their fourth defeat against three triumphs.
James Blake, coming in for the injured Mark Philippoussis, stunned Goran Ivanisevic, 6-5, in the legends singles but Alja Tomljanovic fell to Kristina Mladenovic, 2-6, in the women's singles to allow the Royals that knotted the count at one match apiece.
Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Jarmila Gajdosova gave the Mavericks a 2-1 lead after a beating Mladenovic and Marin Cilic in a shootout, 6-5, in mixed doubles.
Fil-Am Treat Huey and Roger-Vasselin came through with an impressive 6-4 win over Federer and Cilic, paving the way for Karlovic to deliver the decisive triumph over the heavily favored Federer.
The Mavericks were playing the Micromax Indian Aces at press time and hoping for another win to stay in title contention.