Venus Williams to Join Kastles in Charleston

Williams' intimidating presence in singles and doubles should provide a boost to the Kastles, who have won 30 consecutive matches overall and all eight matches featuring Williams since she joined the team in 2010. Twice during the Kastles' historic winning streak, Williams has rallied Washington to improbable come-from-behind victories.

Down by three games in the fifth set against the Philadelphia Freedoms on July 6, 2011, the Kastles emerged with a 19-18 win to increase the streak to two, courtesy of a dominant display of mixed doubles by Williams and Leander Paes .

The Kastles' unbeaten run nearly ended at 24 on July 21, 2012, before Williams saved four match points in women's singles to lead Washington to its biggest comeback in franchise history.

With Washington trailing the New York Sportimes by six games after four sets, Venus defeated fellow former World No. 1 Martina Hingis 5-1, won both games of overtime, and swept all seven points of a Supertiebreaker to give the Kastles a 21-20 victory.

The Kastles and Sportimes will meet again for the Eastern Conference Championship in Charleston at 6:30 pm on Saturday, September 15th. Washington has defeated New York on seven straight occasions, saving 10 match points against the Sportimes during that stretch and clinching three of the matches in a dramatic Supertiebreaker.

The Eastern Conference champions will face the Western Conference champions -- either Orange County or Sacramento -- for the King Trophy at 3:30 pm on Sunday, September 16th. Tickets and hotel packages are available now to see the Kastles strive to add to their 2009 and 2011 world championships.

WTT Finals Weekend will serve as the culmination to a sensational summer for the future Hall-of-Famer Williams. She captured her 22nd Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in women's doubles with sister Serena Williams, guided the Kastles to three victories during the WTT regular season, and then returned to London with Serena to win the women's doubles gold medals at The Olympic Games.

A two-time US Open singles champion, Venus Williams is preparing for the fourth major of the season in Cincinnati right now, where she is through to the third round of the Western & Southern Open. Following the US Open August 27-September 9, Williams will postpone a much-needed rest by one week so she can join the Kastles as they play for unprecedented back-to-back perfect seasons.

Joining Williams in the Kastles' lineup will be the six-time Olympian Paes, WTT Male MVP Bobby Reynolds and Anastasia & Arina Rodionova . The Sportimes are countering with John McEnroe, Jesse Witten, Robert Kendrick, Ashley Harkleroad and a female player to be named later.

Updates on WTT Finals Weekend

Team Events, Direct Flights and Much More!

The scenic Family Circle Tennis Center will host WTT Finals Weekend for the second straight year.

As the countdown continues to WTT Finals Weekend in Charleston, S.C., the Kastles keep adding to the excitement for their die-hard fans who plan on making the trip September 14-16.

Tickets are selling fast and hotel packages are beginning to fill up at the Crowne Plaza, the official Kastles' hotel, and the Hampton Inn Daniel Island, only minutes from the Family Circle Tennis Center!

Don't wait until the last minute to make your plans to see the Kastles compete for their second straight perfect season and their third world championship since 2009.

Here's the latest update on seating, lodging, flights and a series of special events exclusive to Kastles fans, featuring appearances by Kastles' players. Please read this entire message as several items have been updated since the last Kastles' E-mail that was sent on August 9th.

TEAM EVENTS

Fun social events for Kastles fans will occur before and after the Eastern Conference Championship match at 6:30 pm on Saturday, September 15th with Coach Murphy Jensen and all of the Kastles players.

You'll want to arrive early to the Family Circle Tennis Center because from 3-6 pm the Kastles have reserved four hard courts on site for fans of the team who want to get in a hit before the match. Bring your racquets, mingle with other fans and do your best Venus Williams or Leander Paes impression.

Fans will also have the opportunity to watch the Kastles practice on Saturday afternoon before they play against the New York Sportimes on Stadium Court. Stay tuned to future Kastles' E-mails for the exact time and court location of Washington's pre-match practice.

You'll also want to keep a close eye on your Inbox for news about a Kastles' pre-match tailgate rally, where fans can enjoy music and Southern-style barbeque on-site in the lead-up to the big match.

Then, after Washington and New York do battle, join the entire Kastles' team for an after-party at the nearby Vespa Pizzeria. With drink specials solely for Kastles fans, Vespa Pizzeria will be the place to be, especially since it's 0.3 miles from the Family Circle Tennis Center!

FLIGHTS

Direct flights to Charleston International Airport are available from all three DC-area airports starting at $272 round trip. Major savings are available on round-trip flights with one stop, which can be found for as little as $154.

Below is a comprehensive list of flights bound for WTT Finals Weekend, including links to the official websites of the five airlines that fly into Charleston International Airport.

ROUTE STOPS AIRLINE

BWI-CHS 0 Southwest

BWI-CHS 1 Delta

BWI-CHS 1 United

BWI-CHS 1 US Airways

DCA-CHS 0 US Airways

DCA-CHS 1 American

DCA-CHS 1 Delta

DCA-CHS 1 United

IAD-CHS 0 United

IAD-CHS 1 American

IAD-CHS 1 Delta

IAD-CHS 1 Southwest

IAD-CHS 1 US Airways

KEY

BWI: Baltimore/Washington International Airport

DCA: Reagan National Airport

IAD: Dulles International Airport

CHS: Charleston International Airport

TICKETS

The Kastles have reserved two blocks of the best seats to all three matches during WTT Finals Weekend. The seats cost $50 each and are located close to the court and behind both baselines.

If you'd like to sit in these rowdy sections with your fellow 'Kastles Krazies,' then call the Family Circle Cup box office Monday-Friday between 9 am and 5 pm at 1-800-677-2293. Be sure to identify yourself as a Kastles fan in order to obtain seats in the Kastles-only sections.

If you'd like to purchase separate seats for a lower price, they are available in a different location of the stadium with general admission. Those tickets start at just $35 per match and can be ordered online by clicking the links below.

MATCH DATE and TIME TICKET LINKS

Breakers vs. Capitals Fri. 9/14 at 6:30 pm Tickets

Kastles vs. Sportimes Sat. 9/15 at 6:30 pm Tickets

WTT Championship Sun. 9/16 at 3:30 pm Tickets

HOTELS

In addition to the three-night WTT hotel packages detailed below, please consider the following Charleston-area hotels that have available rooms on a night-by-night basis. The rates for these hotels range from $96 to $176 per night and all are within driving distance to and from the Family Circle Tennis Center.

HOTEL PHONE DISTANCE

Courtyard North Charleston 843-747-9122 9.0 miles

Sheraton Charleston Airport 843-747-1900 9.0 miles

Hampton Inn Charleston 843-881-3300 9.3 miles

Fairfield Inn & Suites 843-300-3100 10.1 miles

DoubleTree Historic District 843-577-2644 13.4 miles

Charleston Marriott 843-723-3000 14.3 miles

SpringHill Suites Downtown 843-571-1711 15.3 miles

La Quinta Inn & Suites 843-556-5200 15.4 miles

Three terrific hotel packages being offered by World TeamTennis are also available, bundling tickets to all three matches during WTT Finals Weekend with three nights of accommodations at select Charleston hotels. When making reservations, be sure to request seats in the Kastles-only sections behind the baselines.

Crowne Plaza Airport - Convention Center

- Official Team Hotel

- Box or Terrace level tickets for two people to all three matches

- Three nights' accommodations Sept. 14-17

- Carriage Tour coupon for each guest

- Packages start at $710 for two guests

- Call Kathy Molony (843-849-5310) to book by Wednesday, September 12th.

Hampton Inn Daniel Island

- Minutes from the Stadium

- Box or Terrace level tickets for two people to all three matches

- Three nights' accommodations Sept. 14-17

- Carriage Tour coupon for each guest

- Packages start at $525 for two guests

- Call Kathy Molony (843-849-5310) to book by Wednesday, September 12th.

Boardwalk Inn or Village at Wild Dunes

- Box level tickets for two people to all three matches

- Three nights' accommodations Sept. 14-17

- Tennis Clinic with Wild Dunes tennis pro

- Daily breakfast at the Sea Island Grill

- Packages start at $360 per night

- Call 888-778-1876 to book by Wednesday, September 12th.

It is going to be a memorable and fun-filled weekend. Charleston is spectacular in September as the summer draws to an end, featuring delicious food and five beautiful beach towns. To learn about all of the fun things to do and see in Charleston, please visit CharlestonCVB.com.

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World TeamTennis Stories from August 16, 2012

• Venus Williams to Join Kastles in Charleston - Washington Kastles

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