WTT Washington Kastles

Denis Kudla Headlines Kastles' Big Week at Wimbledon; Serena vs. Venus on Monday

Published on July 5, 2015 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


It's been a big first week at Wimbledon for the Washington Kastles as the team's eight players went 21-6, with six Kastles still contending for titles in all five of the main draws.

Among the top tournament stories is new Kastle and homegrown talent Denis Kudla, who is the only singles wild card in the Round of 16. Kudla defeated Santiago Giraldo 6-2, 6-7(3), 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 on Friday for his second five-set comeback in three matches, extending the greatest Grand Slam performance of his career.

Seven days before his Mylan World TeamTennis debut, the Arlington native is already following in the footsteps of former Kastles closer Bobby Reynolds. Like Reynolds in 2013, Kudla is the last remaining American in the Wimbledon men's singles draw.

On Monday, Kudla will face his toughest test of the tournament: US Open champion and No. 9 seed Marin Cilic. The fourth-round match between Kudla and Cilic is scheduled third after 6:30 am on No.3 Court (ESPN2, ESPN3.com).

Kudla joins the Kastles immediately after Wimbledon for the first week of the 2015 WTT season, including home matches on July 14, July 16 and July 18. Tickets to see Washington's hometown hero start at $12 on Ticketmaster.com.

Meanwhile in women's singles, all eyes since June 26 have been on the top eighth of the draw and a potential fourth-round showdown between Serena and Venus Williams.

Thanks to Serena's come-from-behind win over Heather Watson, the sisters and Kastles teammates will meet for the sixth time on Centre Court Monday at 8 am (ESPN, ESPN3.com).

Serena leads Venus 3-2 in their Wimbledon match-ups and 14-11 overall. But in their most recent meeting at Montréal last summer, Venus earned a three-set victory to end a five-match losing streak to her little sister.

Since then, Serena has won 54 of 57 singles matches and captured championships at the US Open, Australian Open and French Open.

At stake for the World No. 1 this week is a chance to hold all four major titles at the same time and continue her quest for the first calendar Grand Slam of the 21st century. Venus is seeking her first major since Wimbledon in 2008, when she defeated Serena 7-5, 6-4 in the final.

Kastles teammates Martina Hingis and Leander Paes are also playing for a place in the quarterfinals on Monday. Hingis' and Paes' doubles matches follow one another beginning at 6:30 am on Court 6 (ESPN3.com).

Anastasia Rodionova awaits Hingis and Paes in mixed doubles after she and Artem Sitak picked up a pair of wins during the first week of Wimbledon. That Kastle vs. Kastle third-round match is not on Monday's schedule and likely to take place on Tuesday.

For complete Kastle-by-Kastle results, as well as player schedules and links to live streaming, live scoring and TV listings, be sure to visit the Kastle Tracker.

And with every win by the Kastles at Wimbledon, more and more tickets are being purchased for the team's upcoming season. The best seats are nearly sold out for many matches, so don't get sidelined from Serena, Venus and the rest of your favorites. Secure your seats now at Ticketmaster.com.



World TeamTennis Stories from July 5, 2015


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