Maria wins set, Manila hearts

Maria Sharapova of the Manila Mavericks autographs large tennis balls for supporters, following her Mixed Doubles match with teammate Andy Murray against Kristina Mladenovic and Nenad Zimonji of the UAE Royals in the IPTL (International Premier Tennis League) Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay city, Philippines. AP

MARIA Sharapova’s shrieks and grunts finally reached Manila. And the city loved what it heard.

Overnight, the five-time grand slam champion and global superstar endeared herself to Filipinos, who rekindled their love for tennis. Last night, she played for a second straight evening and delivered her massive forehands, booming serves and signature fist-pumps.

“Come on!” Sharapova yelled after each brilliant point that delighted the big crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena on Day 2 of the International Premier Tennis League.

She was to go mano a mano against former French Open titlist Ana Ivanovic, another crowd darling, of the Indian Aces last night.

Women’s World No. 1 Serena Williams was  reportedly set to arrive last night and play just one match.  An encounter with fierce rival and World No. 2 Sharapova will not happen as she’s not listed to play Day 3.

Unlike in her matches in the pros, where the Russian beauty is known to sport a scowl over a smile, Sharapova showed that she was enjoying the atmosphere of the loose format.  She gestured raise the roof and even broke into a jig after climbing from 2-5 down to beat 21-year-old French-Serbian Kristina Mladenovic, 6-5.

The victory gave the Manila Mavericks its only won set against the UAE Royals late Friday.

“It took me a while to get used to the format, but I got the hang of it,” Sharapova said. “I didn’t want to lose my first singles match in Manila. You guys are simply amazing. I’m overwhelmed with your show of support.”

Two-time grand slam champ and reigning Olympic champ Andy Murray, also of the Mavericks, was more reserved—apparently because of a nagging back injury. He lost his men’s singles set against reigning US Open champion Marin Cilic, 6-5. Earlier, Murray and Sharapova bowed to Cilic and Nenad Zimonjic, 6-5.

“It’s a different format but you get used to that. We didn’t get off to the best start and we could have gotten caught up at the end but didn’t win games unfortunately,” said Murray.

Meanwhile, United Arab Emirate Royals survived a furious charge from young Australian hotshot Nick Kyrgios to beat the Singapore Slammers 28-22. The 19-year-old Kyrgios, who used to play here as an age-grouper, won both his doubles matches including a come-from-behind in the exciting mixed set.

In a brilliant use of new rules, Singapore Slammers Josh Eagle wisely substituted Kyrgios in place of Bruno Soares as Daniela Hantuchova’s mixed doubles partner as they rallied from 5-4 to beat Nenad Zimonjic and Kistina Mladenovic of the UAE Royals in a five-minute shootout, 6-5.

The Royals piled up enough points to seal the win, thanks mostly to Mladenovic, who routed Hantuchova, 6-1, in women’s singles.