Nadal returns to winning ways in Aces triumph

Rafael Nadal returned to winning ways as the Indian Aces beat the Philippine Mavericks 30-12 in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).

The Spaniard was beaten by Milos Raonic as the Mavericks inflicted the Aces’ first defeat of the season on the final day in Manila, but he recovered with a 6-4 win over Edouard Roger-Vasselin on Thursday.

Three big victories in the opening sets for the home side meant the match was already won by the time Nadal entered the court, with his men’s doubles and singles clashes proving a formality.

However, he was victorious in both sets, despite letting Roger-Vasselin back into the final set after taking a 4-0 lead, to ensure a comfortable victory which keeps the Aces at the top of the rankings.

Pierre-Hugues Herbert inspired bottom side Japan Warriors to win their first match of the season, beating UAE Royals 24-21.

The Warriors lost the first two sets but the Frenchman and Leander Paes were victorious in the men’s doubles, and that proved to be the turning point.

Herbert surprised Tomas Berdych in the singles, winning 6-4, before pairing with Lucic to beat Mladenovic and Nestor 6-2 in the mixed doubles finale.

Paes said: “It’s great to go out there and win it for the team, it’s wonderful that we notched our first win in the IPTL today.

“Herbert was a brilliant partner to have and he played some fantastic tennis today in all the 3 sets.

“Being 2 sets down and then winning the men’s doubles gave us the momentum that we needed.”