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WTT Washington Kastles

Kastles Klash: Serena and Venus Meet Vika in Fed Cup this Weekend

February 3, 2012 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


It will be a star-studded affair this weekend in Worcester, Mass., where the Washington Kastles' Venus and Serena Williams clash with new world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka as part of the U.S. vs. Belarus Fed Cup World Group II tie.

Azarenka is also a member of the Kastles family, having represented Washington in the team's final four matches of 2010.

The Tennis Channel will broadcast the entire U.S. vs. Belarus tie live, beginning Saturday at 1 pm with the first two singles matches. Coverage on Sunday starts at 12 pm and will feature the two reverse singles matches and the doubles match.

The much-anticipated battle between the five-time Australian Open winner Serena and reigning Australian Open champion Azarenka is scheduled for Sunday.

In her 16-year professional career, Serena has played just four Fed Cup ties, the last coming in April 2007. But when the 27-time Grand Slam champ commits to represent the red, white and blue, she does so with everything that she's got.

Serena is 7-0 lifetime in matches and 14-0 in sets as a member of the U.S. Fed Cup team, including a doubles victory with Venus in the 1999 final to cap America's championship victory over Russia. She's looking forward to sharing the court with her sister once again.

"We played on the same team a few times and we always have a blast," Serena said in a press conference on Tuesday. "We always make the best of everything. We really enjoy every moment because we don't get to spend a lot of time together."

Like her sister, Venus hasn't played Fed Cup since 2007, but has a remarkable record when she does. The Kastle is 17-4 all-time in Fed Cup matches, with her only four losses all coming against Russia.

This weekend, Venus hopes to play her first tour-level match since being diagnosed with Sjorgen's syndrome and withdrawing from the 2011 US Open.

"It's definitely difficult not being on the court, especially when there's not much to be done about it, when it's completely out of my control," Venus said in Worcester on Wednesday. "That's probably the hardest part. It's about learning and adjusting. I learn how to treat myself, how to be smart, listen to my doctor, do as much as I can. That's brought me a long way."

On the other side of the court, Azarenka is playing in her 16th tie for Belarus since making her Fed Cup debut as a 15-year-old in 2005. Vika, as she is known by her fans, is 14-5 in Fed Cup competition overall.

Head-to-head, the Williams sisters present major problems for the new major champion Azarenka. Serena is 6-1 and Venus is 2-0 lifetime against Azarenka in singles.

"They know how to play tennis; they know how to handle big matches;" Azarenka said after arriving in Worcester on Thursday. "Fed Cup is completely different than when you play for yourself. It's different matches. We've seen in history very different results. So we'll see how it goes."

Vika's lone win over Serena was a convincing one: 6-3, 6-1 in the 2009 Miami final. The Belarusian also nearly upset Serena twice at the Australian Open. Azarenka was up a set when she retired in their 2009 meeting in Melbourne, and she led 6-4, 4-0 in the 2010 quarterfinals before falling to Serena in three sets.

Top 100 singles players Anastasiya Yakimova and Olga Govortsova and doubles specialist Darya Kustova round out the Belarusian roster.

The Williams sisters are joined on Team USA by 19-year-old Christina McHale and world No. 1 doubles player Liezel Huber, who both competed against the 16-0 Kastles in 2011. McHale, now ranked No. 38 in singles, led the Kansas City Explorers into DC for the historic home opener of Kastles Stadium at The Wharf, while Huber and the St. Louis Aces fell to Washington in the WTT Finals.

Though Serena appears certain to play No. 1 singles, U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez will need to choose between the returning Venus and the higher-ranked McHale for the second singles spot.

Though they've never met on the WTA tour, McHale edged Venus 5-4(4) in women's singles action during the Kastles' 21-18 victory over the Explorers in 2011. Their set came down to a winner-take-all point in the tiebreaker.

Fernandez will also be hard-pressed to pick two players among Serena, Venus and Huber to form her doubles team, especially if the U.S. and Belarus are tied 2-2 following the four singles matches.

"I tend to make my decisions really last minute," admitted Fernandez. "So we'll just see how the tie is going, who is playing well, who is fresh, then we'll go from there. But we have good options."

Fifteen of the Top 20 women's players in the world are representing their countries in Fed Cup ties across the globe this weekend, hoping to help their homelands advance one round closer to the prestigious team title.

The U.S. and Belarus are contesting a relegation tie in Worcester, with the victorious team advancing to April's World Group Playoffs. Should the U.S. or Belarus win again in April, that nation will earn a spot in the 2013 Fed Cup World Group. Only the eight nations in the prestigious World Group each season can ultimately clinch a Fed Cup championship.

Be sure to join other 'Kastles Krazies' on Facebook and Twitter this weekend to discuss how the Williams sisters match up against the in-form Azarenka. In addition to Tennis Channel coverage, live scoring will be available throughout the weekend at FedCup.com.

'Hot Rod' Wins Doubles Title, Breaks into WTA Top 100

WTT Female Rookie of the Year Arina Rodionova jumped 23 spots to No. 99 in the world in doubles.

While she awaits the passport that will make her Australian citizenship official, reigning WTT Rookie of the Year Arina Rodionova is enjoying a sensational start to 2012 in her adopted country.

Nicknamed 'Hot Rod,' by her growing legion of Kastles fans last summer, Rodionova won her 14th career ITF Women's Circuit doubles title on Friday, teaming with Melanie South of Great Britain to win the McDonald's Burnie International.

Rodionova and South dropped only one set in the tournament, defeating Aussies Stephanie Bengson and Tyra Calderwood 6-2, 6-2 in the championship match.

"Got the job done nicely today with @melaniesouth," Rodionova tweeted following the final. "First title of the year! :)"

The 22-year-old Rodionova is now a three-time champion in Burnie. She swept the singles and doubles titles at the event in 2010.

The biggest challenge for Rodionova and South came in the semifinals, when they saved three match points to edge the Japanese team of Shuko Aoyama and Kotomi Takahata 3-6, 6-3, [13-11].

The Kastle also reached the singles quarterfinals before falling to No. 1 seed Yurika Sema 6-0, 3-6, 6-2.

Born in Russia, Rodionova is coming off a second round doubles appearance in her new hometown of Melbourne. She and older sister Anastasia Rodionova lost to eventual Australian Open finalists Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci in three sets.

Despite that defeat, 'Hot Rod' jumped into the Top 100 of the latest WTA world doubles rankings, and she'll climb even higher thanks to her title run in Burnie.

Not coincidentally, Rodionova's rise up the doubles rankings coincides with the hiring of former world No. 1 doubles player Cara Black as her coach.

"She's been helping me out for a few months now," Rodionova said during a post-match press conference in Burnie. "She's helping me unbelievably. She was one of the smartest players on tour so I'm really lucky to have her on my team."

Not content with her improvement in doubles, Rodionova has made it a goal to break into the Top 100 in singles by the end of this season.

Step one is staying healthy.

Though she starred in her first season as a Kastle, which she capped with the WTT Finals MVP award, injuries marred the rest of Rodionova's 2011 campaign. She missed two months with shoulder problems following the US Open.

Now looking to be more aggressive and step inside the baseline, Rodionova hopes to rebuild her singles ranking of No. 290 during a run of four straight $25,000 ITF tournaments in Australia, with events in Launceston, Sydney and Mildura to follow Burnie.

"I'm very excited and really looking forward to the next few tournaments here in Australia," Rodionova told a reporter in Burnie. "We'll see how my ranking looks like then."

While wins in World TeamTennis don't come with WTA ranking points, Rodionova confidently assured her interviewer in Burnie that she's better than the number next to her name.

She proved that by playing an invaluable part in the Kastles' historic 16-0 season after recovering from a hamstring pull.

"As soon as that got better, I played World TeamTennis when I was healthy and I played unbelievably," said Rodionova. "Unfortunately, you can't see it in the rankings, but I beat players like Vania King 5-0, Tamira Paszek and [Liezel] Huber in doubles. It was unbelievable fun."

Join Kastles' Owner Mark Ein and Coach Murphy Jensen at Mid-Atlantic Tennis Hall of Fame Ceremony

Coach Murphy will emcee and Owner Mark Ein will be honored on Saturday night.

With Kastles' Head Coach Murphy Jensen serving as the event's emcee, team owner Mark Ein will be inducted into the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Hall of Fame this Saturday night in the town where he grew up: Chevy Chase, Md.

The event serves as a celebration of the sport, attracting members of the tennis community from in and around Washington, DC. Only 20 tickets remain so don't hesitate to purchase yours soon by clicking here.

Established by the Mid-Atlantic Tennis and Education Foundation, the Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding individuals who have participated in, contributed to or supported tennis in a significant way in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Class of 2012 is comprised of accomplished senior player Mary Boswell, well-respected linesman Ernie Mosby and Ein, whose business savvy and passion for tennis led to the creation of the Kastles in 2008.

In just four short seasons, the team has captured two World TeamTennis championships, completed the first perfect season in league history, and contributed more than $600,000 in donations to youth, community and military charities.

The Mid-Atlantic Tennis Hall of Fame induction ceremony will also feature a fantastic silent auction.

The Kastles have donated four auction packages, including an Owner's Club Dinner Table for opening night and Chairback tickets to a match of the winner's choice. Autographed items from Serena Williams, John McEnroe, Chris Evert and the 2011 WTT Championship Team will also be up for bid.

Only 20 seats are left for Saturday's event at the Columbia Country Club. To join Coach Murphy and Ein for an enjoyable evening with the tennis community, please call 301-229-5401 or e-mail events@sportsplus.com.



World TeamTennis Stories from February 3, 2012


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