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WTT Washington Kastles

Martina and Leander Play for Mixed Doubles Title and History Today

June 3, 2016 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


While this week at the French Open has been historically rainy, Martina Hingis and Leander Paes have not been affected by the weather delays, especially yesterday when they were forced to play two matches within hours of each other. The duo polished off two tough, seeded opponents in five hours, as they reached the French Open final for the first time as a team. Both Hingis and Paes have impressively completed the Career Grand Slam in women's and men's doubles respectively but the French Open is the only slam that has eluded them both in mixed doubles individually and as a team. A victory in the final would fill the lone hole in their resumes and complete their Career Grand Slam as a team and complete the Doubles Career Grand Slam individually.

The duo opened the day by dismissing No. 5 seeds Bruno Soares and Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-3. Hingis and Paes knew their opponents well, having each played with the other in recent Grand Slam Mixed Doubles events. They used that knowledge to their benefit, putting pressure on the Soares and Vesnina serve, forcing 11 break points and winning four of them, while only facing five break points themselves.

With little rest, the duo turned around only hours later and faced No. 6 seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. A crowd that had seen a lot of gloomy weather all week was thoroughly entertained, as the momentum shifted back and forth over the course of the afternoon. Hingis and Paes won the first set after a crucial break of serve in the eighth game. The duo was able to capitalize on the break, as Paes served to close out the set 6-3. The momentum would shift again a few minutes later when Hlavackova and Vasselin broke Paes in similar fashion to snatch the second set 6-3. The duo came up with several more clutch points in the third set tiebreak, as their experience proved too much for Hlavackova and Vasselin, winning the deciding match tiebreaker 10-7.

Yesterday's victories set up a showdown with Sania Mirza and Ivan Dodig in the final later today. Hingis and Mirza are, of course, quite familiar with one another, combining to form the feared team "Santina" that has dominated the women's doubles tour since they joined forces in March 2015, having won five majors as a doubles team together, including four of the past six. This will be the second time this year they meet head-to-head at a slam. At the Australian Open, the same two teams met in the quarterfinals with Mirza and Dodig prevailing 7-6, 6-3.

The final can be seen today using the Tennis Channel Everywhere app and may be shown live on Tennis Channel. Play begins at 1 pm Paris time and the mixed doubles final is scheduled third on Court Phillipe-Chatrier after the men's and women's singles semifinal matches. Look for it to start around 12 pm EST. Be sure to also follow the Kastles on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest match results and inside scoop.

Bryan Brothers Reach 10th French Open Semifinal

The Kastles other formidable doubles team, the Bryan Brothers, will also be in action today in the men's doubles semifinals. After defeating Kastles teammate Leander Paes and his partner Marcin Matkowski in the quarterfinals 7-6, 6-3, the Bryans next face familiar foe Lukasz Kubot and Alexander Peya. The brothers defeated Kubot in the third round at Roland Garros last year, when he was partnered with Jeremy Chardy.

This year marks the tenth time in the Bryan's careers that they've made the semifinals at Roland Garros, making it the second major (along with Wimbledon) where they've reached the semifinals ten times. The Bryans are looking to capture their third French Open title, with their previous titles coming in 2003 and 2013.

Play begins at 11 am Paris time and the Bryans match with Kubot and Peya is third on Court 1, which should begin around 10 am EST.

The Bryans match will also be available on the Tennis Channel Everywhere app.

Kastles Tickets On Sale Now

From Paris to DC! Come see the Kastles' legendary doubles teams as they take on World TeamTennis this August at the GW Smith Center! Bob and Mike Bryan will headline an epic opening night on August 1 with Martina Hings and Leander Paes playing that night and also on August 2. Come see these Kastles greats, along with the rest of the team as they look to bring home a sixth straight King Trophy.

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