Federer-Wawrinka Showdown Highlights Friday’s IPTL Action
The OBI UAE Royals defeated the OUE Singapore Slammers 27-23 on Friday, anchored by Switzerland’s Roger Federer 6-4 victory over his compatriot, Stan Wawrinka, in the Men’s Singles Set at the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in Singapore.
Goran Ivanisevic got things started for the Royals, breaking Carlos Moya in the 10th game to win the Men’s Legends Singles set 6-4 to give the Royals the early lead. Kristina Mladenovic then edged Karolina Pliskova 6-5(7-6) to slightly add to the lead before the final three sets.
The Slammers would respond in the Mixed Doubles set. Pliskova paired up with Dustin Brown and the two beat Mladenovic and Federer 6-3 to trim the deficit.
But Federer then teamed with Daniel Nestor as they took on Nick Kyrgios and Marcelo Melo in the Men’s Doubles set. While down 3-4, the Slammers substituted Wawrinka in for Kyrgios, but it was to no avail as Federer and Nestor won two of the final three games to take the set 6-4.
The highlight of Friday’s action would come in the Men’s Singles set as Federer squared up with fellow Swiss Wawrinka. Playing in his final match in the IPTL, Federer would secure one more break than Wawrinka and won eight of 13 points at the net to defeat his compatriot 6-4.
“It’s my first time here in Singapore. The crowd was fantastic tonight,” said Federer. “It’s nice they came out to support me tonight, and I’m happy to be able to win here, having lost seven of my opening sets in a row this IPTL season.”
In Friday’s first match, the Legendari Japan Warriors defeated the Philippine Mavericks 29-15.
