WTT Washington Kastles

Kastles Overwhelm Querrey & Bryans to Defeat Rollers, 24-18, Claim 3rd Place in WTT Standings

July 21, 2020 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


New Washington Kastle Tommy Paul
New Washington Kastle Tommy Paul
(Washington Kastles, Credit: World TeamTennis)

The Washington Kastles were in primetime form this Sunday.

In their biggest match, so far, this season, the six-time WTT champions overwhelmed top-American Sam Querrey and all-time doubles greats Bob and Mike Bryan to defeat the Vegas Rollers, 24-18, in a nationally televised broadcast on CBS that drew record ratings. The Kastles won four of five sets and are currently in third place in the WTT standings with the top four teams making the playoffs.

Washington came out strong and seized the momentum early. Former world #1 and four-time Olympic gold medalist Venus Williams and Kastles Hall of Famer Arina Rodionova inflicted the worst damage at the opening of the match in women's doubles. The Kastles duo dominated the Rollers' Kristie Ahn and Asia Muhammad to take the first set, 5-1. A focused and inspired effort from their teammates in the games and sets that followed enabled Washington to build on the early lead.

"I think it's really important to have a good start," said Rodionova afterwards. "We had a chat before the match and we came out with a clear plan today, which I think made a difference. We were quite pumped up from the start."

Marcelo Arevalo and Bernarda Pera delivered a critical win in mixed doubles. (World TeamTennis)

In the next set, rising Kastles stars Marcelo Arevalo and Bernarda Pera defeated Ahn and 22-time Grand Slam doubles champion and former world #1 Mike Bryan in a topsy-turvy mixed doubles encounter that saw the Rollers serve for the set at 4-2, only to be broken and forced to a tiebreak, chiefly due to the shotmaking of Pera, who served out the set, 5-4(3), to extend the Kastles' lead.

Up 10-5, the Kastles had what seemed to be plenty of confidence heading into the third set of women's singles. Venus was supposed to play reigning singles gold medalist Monica Puig in a blockbuster match between two Olympic champions, but at the last minute, Ahn was tapped to play for Puig, who was scratched due to an undisclosed injury.

On the surface, it appeared to be an easier match for Williams, who had no trouble with the Rollers rookie in doubles. But Ahn found her rhythm in singles, and even led 3-1, before Williams fought back to force a 9-point tiebreak. The set ultimately hinged on a single point, which Ahn captured to score the biggest upset of her career, and the Rollers' sole set of the match, 5-4(4).

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With former world #11 and 10-time ATP singles champion Sam Querrey in the lineup next for Vegas, the Kastles had plenty to be anxious about. The hard-serving American and former Kastles all-star faced new Kastle and world #57 Tommy Paul, who had gone winless in his four prior matches. But Paul snapped that streak against Querrey.

Both players held serve through the first eight games, and after falling behind, 1-3, in the tiebreak, Paul - who was named the Guaranteed Rate Player of the Match - rallied with four-straight points to take the set, 5-4(3), and push Washington ahead, 19-14, going into the final set.

The Rollers' last hopes fell on the capable shoulders of Mike and Bob Bryan, the most successful men's doubles team in history, but Arevalo and WTT veteran Nick Monroe seemed to welcome the opportunity to pull off another sensational finale for DC. The pair defeated Fabrice Martin and Taylor Fritz in the fifth set the day before to force the first-place Philadelphia Freedoms to extended play, and brought the same inspired energy to the court against the Bryans.

After trading opening breaks, both teams held to force another tiebreak, but unlike their match against Philly, this time the Kastles had a formidable lead, freeing up Monroe and Arevalo to take some gutsy chances. A one-two, return-volley combo from the Kastles duo scored the mini-break on Mike's serve. Monroe served out the match with serves to spare, 5-4(3).

"I think we had a good start to the season," said Arevalo afterwards. "We did whatever we could. We're happy we got the win today and tomorrow we can enjoy the day off. That's gonna help the team (bond) together and stay positive for the next match."

Up next, the Kastles play the Orlando Storm TODAY at 9 a.m. EST. Watch LIVE on ESPN2!

WATCH: Kastles Nick Monroe makes ESPN Sports Center Top-10 with sensational winner in fifth set against Bryan Brothers.

Be there for the action!

In accordance with state health guidelines, WTT will allow up to 500 fans (20% capacity) to attend its matches at Center Court at Creekside. An indoor court, with a fan capacity of 250, will be used in case of rain with priority given to fans with Lower Bowl tickets. An Upper Bowl ticket does not guarantee access to the indoor facility should matches be moved indoors. In the event of an outdoor stadium rainout, an Upper Bowl ticket will be refunded or fans will have the option to attend on a different day.




Images from this story

Venus Williams (right) and Arina Rodionova of the Washington Kastles
Venus Williams (right) and Arina Rodionova of the Washington Kastles
(World TeamTennis)		 Marcelo Arevalo (front) and Bernarda Pera of the Washington Kastles
Marcelo Arevalo (front) and Bernarda Pera of the Washington Kastles
(World TeamTennis)		 New Washington Kastle Tommy Paul
New Washington Kastle Tommy Paul
(World TeamTennis)



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