WTT Washington Kastles

Kastles Stars 25-5 At 2010 Australian Open

Published on January 28, 2010 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


Kastles players have continued their superb showing at the Australian Open improving their record to 25-5 overall and are still competing for titles in Women's Singles, Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles. In the two Grand Slams (US and Australian Opens) since the Kastles captured the WTT Championship, Kastles players have amassed an incredible 58-12 record. Serena Williams has been perfect thus far in Melbourne, winning all 11 matches she has played -- six in singles and five in doubles and has advanced to the finals in both events. Yesterday, she defeated China's Na Li 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1) in a hard fought, two-hour semifinal battle to advance to the final. The day before, she displayed her trademark competitiveness earning an amazing comeback victory over Victoria Azarenka 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 after being down a set and 4-0 in the second set.

In the final, top-seeded Serena will face wildcard Justine Henin who is playing spectacular tennis in her first Grand Slam event since returning to tennis after retiring in 2008. Suprisingly, this is the first Grand Slam final matchup between Serena (an eleven-time Grand Slam singles champion) and Justine (a seven-time Grand Slam singles winner), two of the best Women's Singles players of their time.

Serena also advanced to the Women's Doubles final by virtue of a semifinal victory against Kastles teammate Rennae Stubbs. Serena and her sister Venus (Philadelphia Freedoms) defeated Rennae and partner Lisa Raymond (Philadelphia Freedoms) 6-3, 7-6 (6) thus ending an impressive run for Rennae and Lisa in their first tournament back together as a doubles team since 2005. The road does not get any easier for Serena and Venus who will face the world's top-ranked doubles team of Cara Black and Liezel Huber (Springfield Lasers) in the Women's Doubles final tonight at 11pm EST. Leander Paes is also competing for a title in Mixed Doubles after being eliminated in the Men's Doubles draw. He and Cara Black, the #1 seed, will face seventh-seeded Lisa Raymond and Wesley Moodie in a Mixed Double semifinal match on Friday. Leander and partner Lukas Dlouhy were upset by unseeded team of Ivo Karlovic and Dusan Vemic in the Men's Doubles quarterfinals yesterday.

You can follow Serena and Leander at the Australian Open by visiting www.washingtonkastles.com and clicking on the 2010 Australian Open banner. Additionally, you can watch many of the Australian Open matches live on ESPN2, Tennis Channel and ESPN360.com.

UPCOMING MATCHES

Friday's Schedule

Women's Doubles (Final)

Cara Black / Liezel Huber (1) vs. Serena Williams / Venus Williams (3)

Note: Match will begin at 11PM US Eastern Time Tonight

Mixed Doubles (Semifinals)

Leander Paes / Cara Black (1) vs. Wesley Moodie / Lisa Raymond (7)

Saturday's Schedule

Women's Singles (Final)

Serena Williams (1) vs. Justine Henin

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World TeamTennis Stories from January 28, 2010


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