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WTT Washington Kastles

Kastles Fall in Home Opener 22-17; Next Home Matches Thursday & Saturday

July 15, 2015 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


There was a beloved American legend playing in front of a packed crowd, a timeless doubles star flying in straight from Wimbledon, a hometown hero surrounded by family and friends, and a fan favorite returning to the house he helped build.

All that was missing was the win.

The Kastles fell to an inspired Austin Aces squad 22-17, losing for just the third time in their last 34 home matches dating back to the 2010 season.

Venus Williams played her part, defeating Nicole Gibbs 5-2 in singles. Leander Paes showed off spectacular volleys for the 3,125 fans in attendance. Arlington native Denis Kudla defeated World No. 52 Teymuraz Gabashvili 5-4 in the opening set. And former Kastles closer Bobby Reynolds served as the honorary assistant coach.

But the Aces swept all three doubles sets to improve to 2-0 on the young season. The Kastles are 1-1 and return to action on the road tonight against the Springfield Lasers.

Kudla started strongly for the Kastles, breaking Gabashvili to take a 4-2 first-set lead after a great get that drew an error from the Russian.

Bashing balls from the baseline and moving briskly, Kudla jumped ahead 3-0 in the following game, earning four set points. Gabashvili, however, found his return in time to save all four. He followed with a hold for 4-4, forcing a tiebreaker.

Gabashvili claimed the first point of the tiebreaker with a return winner, but momentum wasn't done switching hands. Kudla won five points in a row to the delight of his D.C. fans, sealing the set when Gabashvili netted a forehand.

The capacity crowd barely got done cheering for Kudla when it exploded for Williams, who teamed with Anastasia Rodionova in the second set.

Despite the partisan fans, Nicole Gibbs and Alla Kudryavtseva of Austin each saved a 3-all point with an unreturnable serve to jump ahead 2-1 on the Kastles.

They followed by breaking Rodionova when Williams was unable to handle a difficult volley.

Kudryavtseva, who substituted for the Kastles in 2013, got the better of her former doubles partner in the following game, winning a rapid exchange at the net with Rodionova.

Suddenly, Kudryavtseva and Gibbs found themselves with a 4-1 advantage. They immediately broke Williams thereafter to take the set and give Austin a 9-6 lead.

In the third set of men's doubles, Kudla filled the shoes that Reynolds admirably wore for five seasons as Paes' partner.

The new Kastle held serve to open the set before the Aces ran off four straight games. Jarmere Jenkins, who led the University of Virginia to the 2013 NCAA title, provided a spark for the Aces with fast hands at the net.

Gabashvili, on the other hand, struggled with the rowdy atmosphere. He double-faulted three times serving for the set at 4-1, giving the Kastles new life. When Paes saved four set points to hold for 3-4, it appeared as if the Kastles really would refuse to lose.

But Jenkins stepped to the baseline and ended any further comeback hopes, holding at love to take the set 5-3 and extend Austin's lead to 14-9.

Women's singles followed with Williams meeting her younger, talented countrywoman Gibbs.

Neither American could break the other through the first four games as Williams won a 3-all point with a forehand winner to even the set at 2-2.

After the required changeover, Williams was a brand new woman, rolling to a 5-2 victory behind behemoth forehands and serves.

Williams' effort trimmed Austin's lead to 17-14 with the final set of mixed doubles remaining.

An interesting strategic move was made at the start as Williams -- not Paes -- served first for the Kastles. Perhaps Paes, who arrived from London less than four hours before the match, was willing to step aside for his strong-serving partner.

But Kudryavtseva hit a remarkable reflex winner off a powerful Paes volley, then Gabashvili flattened a forehand winner to give Austin the early break.

The Kastles would have to wait until they trailed 2-3 in the set for a great chance to break back. On a 3-all deciding point, Gabashvili bashed an ace out wide while the Kastles bench yelled in protest.

Coach Murphy Jensen implored with the chair umpire that Gabashvili hit his serve after the expiration of the 25-second shot clock, a new innovation in Mylan WTT matches this season.

But the ace by the Aces counted, bringing Austin within one game of victory. Paes held his serve in the next game, leaving the former Kastle Kudryavtseva with the match on her racquet.

Like Gabashvili did earlier, she double-faulted three times, clearly feeling pressure facing the defending champions and a vocal Washington crowd. However, on a 3-all deciding point, Kudryavtseva landed her serve and followed with a ferocious forehand winner past the poaching Paes.

There's no time for the Kastles to lament their first loss of the season. They play a road match tonight at 8 pm ET against the Springfield Lasers. Visit WashingtonKastles.com for live scoring.

Kastles Return Home for 2 Exciting Matches This Week

World No. 1 Junior, French Open Champion Coming to D.C.

The Kastles return to the Smith Center twice this week for must-see matches featuring some of the best players in the world. Get your tickets now at Ticketmaster.com or the Smith Center box office before they sell out.

Tomorrow night at 7 pm, the Kastles welcome World No. 1 junior Taylor Fritz and the San Diego Aviators to town. One year ago, the Aviators rode away with a 22-18 victory over Washington at the Smith Center. Coach Murphy Jensen hopes to have his squad ready for revenge.

The first 1,000 fans in attendance at tomorrow's match will receive a stylish Kastles camouflage hat as Washington celebrates Military Appreciation Night.

Then, on Saturday at 5 pm, the Kastles clash with the Philadelphia Freedoms in a rematch of the Eastern Conference Championship. Wimbledon stars Denis Kudla and Leander Paes will be in the lineup for the Kastles, while the Freedoms counter with French Open doubles champion Marcelo Melo and 19-year-old rising star Taylor Townsend.

Your children will also want to take advantage of two of the best experiences in pro sports, which are available at all Kastles home matches: All kids 12 and under get a free tennis racquet and kids 16 and under are invited onto the court after each match for autographs from every player.

Secure your seats starting at only $12 at Ticketmaster.com or the Smith Center box office.

Additional Seats Now On Sale for Serena Match July 21

Record-Setting Crowd Expected to Watch World No. 1 Lead Kastles

Don't miss Serena Williams return to Washington on July 21.

(Photo by Fred Mullane of Camerawork USA)

Due to incredible demand, the Kastles have released a block of seats to the previously sold-out Serena Williams match on July 21.

Be part of the largest crowd in Kastles history and see the best player in the world live when Williams returns to D.C. this Tuesday.

Secure your seats for only $35 at Ticketmaster.com before they are gone for good.

More than 4,100 fans are expected to pack the Smith Center when the World No. 1 leads the Kastles against the Boston Lobsters.

Williams is 40-1 on tour in 2015 with titles at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. Should she win the US Open championship later this summer, Williams will complete the first calendar Grand Slam by a singles player or doubles team - men's, women's or mixed -- since Steffi Graf in 1988.

The Kastles superstar is rewriting record books, and all it takes to see her live is $35? Don't let this amazingly affordable opportunity pass you by. Get your tickets now at Ticketmaster.com.

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