Ivanovic beats Sharapova in IPTL showdown

MANILA, Philippines — Ana Ivanovic bested Maria Sharapova in their International Premier Tennis League showdown on Saturday night.

The two crowd-darlings went head-to-head with Ivanovic beating Sharapova, 6-3, in a keenly-awaited clash between two former world No. 1 players that had the fans at the Mall of Asia at the edge of their seats the entire time.

“It was fun,” the Serbian beauty Ivanovic said to the delight of the crowd just moments after capping the Micromax Indian Aces’ 24-15 win over the Manila Mavericks. “I’ve been really happy being on the court and I’m enjoying my life.”

“We played so many times against each other. We played three or four times against each other this year alone and it has gone back-and-forth,” said the many-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova during the post-game presser on facing Ivanovic. “She played really well today.”

The 27-year-old Russian Sharapova, currently ranked No. 2, pulled ahead, 1-0, before Ivanovic won the next four.

Sharapova rallied from 2-5 down to beat Kristina Mladenovic on Friday and it seemed as if she was up for another comeback when she returned a volley and was a point away from taking a set.

But the Aces strategically called a power point, which amounts to two points, and Ivanovic was able to make full use of it after Sharapova fell short on her attempt.

The Mavericks dropped to 0-2 while the Aces hiked their record to 2-0.