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Washington Kastles

Venus, Hingis Reach Round 3 at Australian Open

January 23, 2015 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


Seventeen years is an eternity to most professional tennis players. But for Venus Williams and Martina Hingis, it's already an afterthought.

The Kastles teammates swept the Australian Open titles in 1998, when Hingis repeated as singles and doubles champion and Williams won mixed doubles in her debut.

Five days into the 2015 Australian Open, a Venus-Hingis sweep is still a possibility.

Williams advanced to the third round of singles on Thursday and has lost only one of 15 sets this season. Hingis is through to the third round of women's doubles as she awaits her Grand Slam debut in mixed with Leander Paes .

Despite the 16-hour time difference, Kastles fans can once again watch Williams in prime time tonight. Her first career match against 33rd-ranked Camila Giorgi airs live on Tennis Channel and ESPN3.com at 7 pm.

With a win over the Italian, Williams would advance to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2011.

While Williams goes to work on Margaret Court Arena, Hingis will enjoy a day off after she and Flavia Pennetta defeated Daniela Hantuchova and Karin Knapp 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2 (Highlights).

In 2013, Hingis and Hantuchova teamed up for the first five events of the Swiss' WTA comeback. Friends became enemies at Kastles Stadium last summer when Hantuchova beat Hingis in singles and doubles to lead the San Diego Aviators past Washington.

Hingis avenged that loss earlier today to improve to 4-0 against Hantuchova in WTA doubles matches, including a meeting in the 2002 Australian Open final.

Leander Paes and Martina Hingis make magic happen in mixed, as this amazing half-volley proves.

Hantuchova was Paes' mixed doubles partner at the 2014 Australian Open. But with a 17-2 record for Washington, it was only a matter of time until Paes and Hingis joined forces on tour.

The No. 7 seeds meet Aussie wild cards Sam Thompson and Masa Jovanovic in a first-round match that has yet to be scheduled.

In the meantime, enjoy an exclusive highlight video of Paes and Hingis playing mixed doubles for the Kastles. We're paying tribute to the Kastles' dream team by uploading new videos every day next week, so be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

As Paes and Hingis attract attention, keep an eye on 6-foot-8 Kastle Kevin Anderson, who defeated No. 24 seed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(6) earlier today (Replay). Anderson, seeded 14th, has now reached the fourth round at six of the last nine majors.

To qualify for his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, Anderson must defeat World No. 3 Rafael Nadal on Sunday. He is 0-13 overall against Top 10 players at the majors, but an upset isn't out of the question. Anderson is 4-0 in tiebreakers this week, while Nadal survived a five-set scare against World No. 112 Tim Smyczek in the second round.

Though Anderson and Hingis picked up wins for Washington today, Paes and Anastasia Rodionova were not as fortunate. Italians Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini beat Paes and Raven Klaasen 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, while Samantha Stosur and Svetlana Kuznetsova eliminated Anastasia and Arina Rodionova 6-2, 6-4.

To keep up with the Kastles down under, WashingtonKastles.com has you covered with the latest scores, statistics, schedules and even links to full-match replays. Be sure to bookmark the Kastle Tracker and visit daily for the latest updates.

Kevin Anderson overcame a 1-4 record against Richard Gasquet to defeat the Frenchman today.

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