MANILA, Philippines -- Tomas Berdych delivered when it mattered most as the UAE Royals foiled the Singapore Slammers' comeback bid with a 6-4 conquest of Nick Kyrgios in a gripping finale to the close match in the final day of the Manila leg of the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League Season 2 on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Berdych overcame Kyrgios' four aces to preserve the victory for the Royals, 26-23, that put them back in the fight overtaking the Slammers in the standings at third spot behind the Micromax Indian Aces (3-0) and the Philippine Mavericks (3-1).
"It was a good fun. I hoped you guys like it. We're back in the fight. It's a great to win our last match in Manila. Let's bring the good energy to India," said the 30-year old Berdych right after the match.
Calm and collected, Berdych redeemed himself after their men's doubles loss, 2-6, to Kyrgios and Marcelo Melo that allowed the Slammers to cut into their lead, 20-19, entering the final set.
Berdych was always a step ahead in the finale with the match on the line.
Overall, the Royals won four out of the five sets with Ana Ivanovic with a breakthrough win in Manila outlasting Karolina Pliskova, 6 (7)-5 (5), in the opening set.
Goran Ivanisevic won his classic match-up with Carlos Moya in the Legends set, 6-4, before Kristina Mladenovic and Nestor made it three in a row with an identical 6-4 win against the pair of Kyrgios and Belinda Bencic.