Royals edged out on homecoming bow

Dubai - Swiss world number three Federer cannot inspire UAE franchise to opening-night victory over the Philippine Mavericks

Roger Federer couldn't prevent the OBI UAE Royals from slipping to their fourth defeat in seven International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) 2 matches following a 26-24 loss to the Philippine Mavericks on Monday night.
The Royals won only one of the first four sets, with Kristina Mladenovic convincingly beating Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2 in the women's singles.
However, that four-game cushion was wiped out in the other three tussles as the Mavericks narrowly edged the men's legends singles and the mixed doubles 6-5, while pocketing the men's doubles 6-4 to boot.
Those four results ensured the match score was tied at 20-20 as the world number three Federer and Ivo Karlovic took to Centre Court in a straight, first-to-six-games shootout for outright glory.
It was to be the big-serving Croat who ultimately emerged victorious by clinching the fifth and final rubber 6-4 on his second set point and - with it - the match overall.
 "I've played four matches now (in New Delhi and Dubai) and lost all four so far," rued Federer, who also lost in the men's doubles alongside Marin Cilic to Treat Huey and Edouard Roger-Vasselin by the same scoreline yesterday evening.
"It's not really what we were hoping for, but that's how it goes. I've got two more (in Dubai) at least, so maybe I can tie it up. It would be nice.
"It was a tough match today (Monday). Having got off to a good start, we looked good for a while there and then they ran away with it in the doubles and it was the same in the singles against Karlovic.
"I always knew it was going to be a tough match. He's a tough guy to play against, especially in this format where things can turn around very quickly.
"But, I loved it; I had a good time and I'm looking forward to tomorrow (Tuesday)."
Federer has been in a relaxed mood during this competition, casually chatting with his Royals team-mates and franchise opponents on the sidelines amidst all of the frenetic action.
However, he was quick to point out that this end-of-season tournament isn't entirely devoid of expectancy and pressure.
"It's different. You're obviously playing with less pressure because you're not playing for ranking points and all of that stuff," the 34-year-old Swiss said.
"But still, you want to do well for those five, six or seven guys on the bench, the team and the fans, so pressure never really leaves.
"You see it with the legends and how much they're going after it. They've retired a long time ago and they're still getting nervous when it gets important.
"That's the beauty of playing tennis and that's why it's tough to hang up the racquet because those are the moments you play for.
"They sometimes may not be the most enjoyable, but - at the end - those are the ones you remember the most."
Federer is scheduled to face the OUE Singapore Slammers' Andy Murray tonight (Tuesday) and the 17-time Grand Slam champion is expecting another titanic tussle in the desert.
"I've had great matches against Andy," he added. "We match up well, so I hope Tuesday is going to be nice.
"I'm sure there will be some serve and volleying, some slices, some coming in and seeing what is happening out there.
"The court plays differently and definitely slower than the surface for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
"It therefore cannot play exactly the same way, so we'll probably see a bit more rallies. I'm not sure exactly how well he's been playing as of late and how much practice he's had since the Davis Cup finals.
"But, I feel like I'm probably going to get only better from here on. I'm only at the beginning of everything, there's still a lot of weeks left and every day that's going to go by is a good thing." 
Result: OBI UAE Royals 24-26 Philippine Mavericks 
Mixed Doubles: Men's Legends Singles: James Blake (USA) bt Goran Ivanisevic (Croatia) 6-5 (7-5). Women's Singles: Kristina Mladenovic (France) bt Ajla Tomljanovic (Australia) 6-2. Mixed Doubles: Edouard Roger-Vasselin (France) & Jarmila Gajdosova (Australia) bt Marin Cilic (Croatia) & Kristina Mladenovic (France) 6-5 (7-4). Men's Doubles: Edouard Roger-Vasselin (France) & Treat Huey (The Philippines) bt Marin Cilic (Croatia) & Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-4. Men's Singles: Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) bt Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-4. 
alex@khaleejtimes.com