Williams leads PH Mavericks as IPTL Manila Leg unfurls Sunday

Serena Williams celebrates during the 2013 US Open in New York. AP

Serena Williams, acclaimed the best ever in women’s tennis, will banner the Philippine Mavericks who will take on the United Arab Emirates Royals Sunday in Day 1 of the Manila leg of the International Premier Tennis League at MOA Arena.

Winner of 21 Grand Slams and current No. 1 in the world, Williams will try to steer the local franchise over the next three days in the one-of-a-kind tournament that employs fun features like player substitution, shot-clock, shootout to break ties and power point which doubles the point when called.

The Mavericks will battle the United Arab Emirates at 7:30 p.m. with the local franchise also flaunting Milos Raonic, Mark Philippoussis, Treat Huey, Edoard Roger-Vasselin, Jarmila Gajdosova, Richard Gasquet and Alja Tomjanovic.

Filipino doubles specialist Huey will coach the team while Philippoussis is captain.

In the curtain-raiser at 4 p.m., the Japan Warriors, led by Marat Safin and Leander Paes, will take on the Singapore Slammers who will parade Nick Kyrgios, Karolina Pliskova and Belinda Bencic.

“Great win for us tonight,” said Philippine Mavericks manager Jean Henri Lhuillier referring to the Mavericks’ 28-24 win over the Japan Warriors in Kobe Friday night where the 2015 IPTL season kicked off.

“We are currently positioned well after the first leg. Mark is doing a great job as captain and has got the team focused. Everyone in the team wants to win and looking forward to play in the Philippines,” Lhuillier added.

The Mavericks now own a 1-1 record behind the Royals and Indian Aces, who won two of their matches in Japan.

The Royals will also be anchored by Ana Ivanovic, Tomas Berdych and Goran Ivanisevic.

Fourteen-time majors champ Rafael Nadal will see action tomorrow and on Tuesday with the Indian Aces, who will face the Royals and the Mavericks, respectively.