WTT Washington Kastles

Kastles Wimbledon Update; Opening Night One Week from Today

Published on June 29, 2010 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


Serena Moves on at Wimbledon While Venus Falls; Other Kastles Advance

Serena Williams remains in contention for back-to-back Wimbledon titles after reaching the semifinals Tuesday with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Na Li (CHN).

The top seed and defending champ survived a tense first set but then played near-perfect tennis in the second, committing only one unforced error.

Serena's sister, Venus, was not so fortunate, as she fell in the quarterfinals on the grass courts of London Tuesday, dropping a 6-2, 6-3 match to Tsvetana Pironkova (BEL).

For Venus, Tuesday's loss led to an uncharacteristic early exit, as she fell before the Wimbledon final for the first time since 2006. In 14 Wimbledon appearances, she has appeared in eight finals, winning five times.

Kastles players still have a shot to win the women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles events.

The Williams sisters have made it into the quarterfinals of the doubles tournament, and are pursuing their fifth consecutive Grand Slam doubles title.

Rennae Stubbs cruised into the quarterfinals of the women's doubles bracket as she teamed with Lisa Raymond (USA) on a 6-2, 6-2 win over Cara Black (ZIM) and Daniela Hantuchova (SVK). The seventh-seeded pair will now face Liezel Huber (USA) and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA), who are seeded fifth in the tournament.

Stubbs also moved into the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles event with Marcelo Melo (BRA), scoring an 7-5, 6-4 upset win over the sixth-seeded tandem of Daniel Nestor (CAN) and Mattek-Sands.

Leander Paes continued his quest for his second Grand Slam mixed doubles title of the year. He and playing partner Cara Black (ZIM) earned a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win over Martin Damm (CZE) and Vladimira Uhlirova (CZE.) Paes and Black, who are seeded second at Wimbledon, paired to win the Australian Open mixed doubles title in January.

Kastles Debut New Television Commercial

The Washington Kastles have produced an exciting new television commercial to help promote the return of the defending World TeamTennis Champions!

The video features rousing footage of the team's run to the 2009 World TeamTennis Championship, with highlights of all the top players who will hit center court at Kastles Stadium this July, including Venus and Serena Williams, Leander Paes, Rennae Stubbs and head coach Murphy Jensen.

The commercial also promotes the appearances by visiting players including Martina Hingis, Anna Kournikova and John McEnroe.

It's designed to emphasize the great individual performances fans will see at Kastles Stadium, but also highlight the teamwork needed to repeat as champions.

"Alone for the Serve. Alone To Return," reads the text of the commercial, set to a background of great tennis action. "But to Win, You'll Need Your Team."

The Kastles are also emphasizing the great location of matches at the intimate Kastles Stadium in downtown Washington.

"World Class Tennis," the commercial reads. "One Court. In the Heart of D.C."

The new Kastles commercial is available for viewing at Washingtonkastles.com and will air on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic and other local channels.

WTT Players Continue to Impress at Wimbledon

While the Kastles have had a great Wimbledon so far, a host of other World TeamTennis players have had good results in the year's third Grand Slam.

The Kansas City Explorers, who will visit Kastles Stadium on July 14, feature Jarmila Groth (AUS) who reached the fourth round singles before losing to Venus Williams. Groth, who also reached the fourth round of the French Open, knocked off popular American Melanie Oudin in the first round. Explorers' teammate Kveta Peschke (CZE) has reached the quarterfinals of the women's doubles event with Katarina Strebotnik (SLO). Peshcke and Srebotnik were finalists at the French Open, losing to Venus and Serena Williams. Ricardo Mello (BRA), also of the Explorers, made the main draw of the men's singles event at Wimbledon but fell in the first round.

On July 20, the Kastles will play the New York Sportimes, who feature several players appearing at Wimbledon. Robert Kendrick survived a tough five-set match to qualify for the main draw of the singles event, where he lost in a tight four-setter to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA). Jesse Witten, who is remembered for his exciting run to the third round of last year's U.S. Open, also qualified for the main draw, falling in the opening round to Michael Llodra. The Sportimes roster also includes Abigail Spears (USA), who lost a first-round doubles match with Natalie Grandin (RSA).

The Kastles home opener on July 6 will come against the Philadelphia Freedoms, and fans are likely to see Ramon Delgado (PAR) who qualified for the main singles draw at Wimbledon before losing in the first round in four sets to Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS). The Freedoms will also bring 18-year-old Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, one of the few players from Thailand on tour. Lertcheewakarn, the 2009 Wimbledon girls champion, appeared in the main singles draw at Wimbledon but dropped an opening match 6-3, 6-2 to Andrea Hlavackova (CZE).

The New York Buzz will be in town on July 7 and July 12, and will include 5-time Grand Slam winner Martina Hingis as well as Sarah Borwell, the top-ranked doubles player from Great Britain. Borwell reached second round of the mixed doubles event at Wimbledon, playing with fellow Brit Colin Fleming. Borwell also played with Raquel Kops-Jones (USA), a member of the Boston Lobsters, to reach first round of the women's doubles event.

Eric Butorac (USA) of the Boston Lobsters played with Olga Govortsova (BLR) in the mixed doubles event, reaching the second round. He also played but lost a first-round doubles match with fellow American Rajeev Ram. Butorac is scheduled to appear with the Lobsters in Washington on July 18.

John Isner is expected to appear for a few matches with the Lobsters this summer. The big server made history at Wimbledon when he beat Nicolas Mahut (FRA) in an 11-hour match that ended 70-68 in the fifth set.

Other WTT stars not appearing in Washington but with good Wimbledon results include Maria Sharapova (RUS) of the Newport Beach Breakers, who reached the fourth round before losing to Serena Williams, and Kim Clijsters (BEL) of the New York Sportimes, who reached the quarterfinals in singles and remains alive in the mixed doubles event with Xavier Malisse (BEL). The Explorers' Bob Bryan (USA) and Mike Bryan (USA), who are pursuing their ninth Grand Slam title together, have reached the quarterfinals of the men's doubles event. Andy Roddick (USA) of the Freedoms reached the fourth round at Wimbledon before losing a tough five-setter to Yen Hsun-Lu.

Calling All Champions: Be a Part of the Kastles Champions Night Celebration!

The Washington Kastles are calling on all champions for their opening home match on July 6 against the Philadelphia Freedoms.

The team will celebrate its 2009 World TeamTennis Championship that evening and are inviting the winners of any tennis league or tournament to join in the festivities.

The Kastles will honor the captains of league champions on court between sets,and winning teams will have their name broadcast on the large video screen and over the public address system at Kastles Stadium.

In addition, all fans will receive a free set of "Energy Sticks" courtesy of Pepco, ensuring that Kastles Stadium will be rocking all night!

Julienne Irwin, a country singer from Bel Air, Md. and finalist on the hit show America's Got Talent, will perform the National Anthem.

It promises to be a memorable night, as the Kastles kick off their effort to repeat as WTT champs. Help celebrate along with the team!

Kastles Stadium is the most intimate sporting venue in Washington, with a great location just one block from Metro Center and minutes from Capitol Hill. Some great seats remain for opening night, but tickets are going fast!

To reserve your seat now and find out how you can join in the Kastles' celebration, call 202-4-TENNIS.

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World TeamTennis Stories from June 29, 2010


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