Sports stats



WTT Washington Kastles

US Open Highlights: Frances Tiafoe's Memorable Match; Venus and Sam

September 2, 2017 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


US Open Highlights
US Open Highlights
(Washington Kastles)

BNP Paribas Open Draw Features Many Kastles Players and Compelling Match-Ups Leander Partners with Juan Martin Del Potro and Faces Kastles Teammate Sam Querrey in First Round Watch on Tennis Channel, WatchESPN.com and WatchESPN app The draws have finally been revealed for the BNP Paribas Open and Kastles fans will be treated to some great action in Indian Wells. In the women's singles tournament, one thing is certain: Venus won't have to play her sister. Serena withdrew from the event on Tuesday, due to a left knee injury. And while she may miss her younger sister's company, her chances look much better now to win one of the few remaining titles missing from her impressive resume. But the road is by no means easy. Though she received a bye, Venus could potentially face a former world no. 1 in her opening match, the winner of a first round contest between Jelena Jankovic (who won the tournament in 2010) and Irina Falconi. And positioned in the bottom-half of the draw, Williams is likely to encounter the current world no. 2 Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinals. Both women will be looking to make their first appearance in the final.

Venus is looking to continue her momentum after a trip to the Australian Open Finals in January. (Credit: AusOpen.com)

In the opposite bracket, Madison Brengle is poised to do some damage. After winning her first round match against Maria Tatjana, 6-4, 6-2, Madison will face the 26th-seed Roberta Vinci next. The two have never player before, but the Italian is a very tricky player. She sliced away Serena's shot at the "Calendar Slam" at the 2015 US Open, before losing in the final to her compatriot Flavia Pennetta. Luckily for Brengle, Vinci has never advanced further than the round of 16 at Indian Wells. If the Kastle can knock off the Italian, she could take advantage of the fractured top-half of the draw, in the wake of Serena's absence.

Madison advanced in straight sets in Round 1. (Credit: @BNPPARIBASOPEN Twitter)

On the men's side, Sam Querrey is sitting pretty in the second round already. His win at the Mexican Open on Sunday earned him a valuable bye. Seeded no. 23, Querrey is in the upper-bottom-half of the draw, awaiting the winner of a first round match between fellow Americans, Donald Young (Philadelphia Freedoms) and Stefan Kozlov. Sam's most dangerous threat en route to the quarterfinals is the fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori. If both men take care of business, they would meet in the round of 16.

Click the image above to watch highlights of Sam's big win over Rafa in Acalpuco. (Credit: WeAreTennis)

Nick Kyrgios, on the other hand, may have been dealt the toughest draw in the history of tennis. Though he's seeded 15 and received a first round bye, he's sandwiched in between Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Juan Martin Del Potro, and Novak Djokovic in the bottom-quarter of the draw. And you can bet the Djoker will be itching for some payback after Nick knocked him out of Acapulco last week. As for doubles, Martina Hingis is teamed-up with Chan Yung-jan of Taiwan. The pair have played twice before, reaching the semifinals of Doha and the quarterfinals of Dubai last month. Hingis is hoping Chan can help her win a second BNP Paribas Open doubles title. They easily dispatched of Racquel Atawo and Yifan Xu in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, to advance to the second round. The most formidable opponent in their quarter of the draw is the fourth-seeded Sania Mirza and Barbora Strycova. This is definitely a match to lookout for.

Hingis and Chan advanced to the 2nd round on Wednesday. (Photo Credit: Art Seitz)

But without a doubt, the two most exciting openers at Indian Wells are scheduled in the men's doubles tournament: a double-feature "Clash of the Kastles!" In the top-half, amid a field chock-full of dangerous opponents, Leander Paes and his US Open and Silver Medal winning partner Juan Martin Del Potro will play Sam Querrey and Gilles Mî1/4ller for a place in the round of 16. In this match, it's hard to pinpoint which team is the underdog. Querrey and Mî1/4ller teamed up once before at Brisbane earlier this year and made it to the finals. Paes and Del Potro have never played together but have a combined 19 grand slam titles between them. It's sure to be a riveting match. Simultaneously in the bottom-half of the draw, No. 2 seeds Bob and Mike Bryan will take the court against Nick Kyrgios and Nenad Zimonji?. That it will be the maiden doubles voyage for Kyrgios and Zimonji? won't prevent them from doing everything they can to thwart the Bryan's chance at a third title at Indian Wells. It's a match you won't want to miss. In another great doubles match-up, Treat Huey and his regular doubles partner Max Miryni are facing a difficult first round match with 3-time grand slam champion, Stan Warwinka, and his partner Grigor Dimitrov who is currently ranked #13 in the world in singles.

WTT Roster Draft: Tuesday, March 14th

Stay tuned for updates from the Official WTT Roster Draft on Tuesday, March 14th. The Kastles will look to bolster an already strong marquee lineup to make a run at a historic seventh WTT title!

Get Your Kastles Season Tickets Today! You won't want to miss a minute of the season as your Kastles look to claim their 7th overall World TeamTennis Championship and celebrate their landmark 10th season! Season tickets are currently on sale and the on sale date for single-match tickets will be announced later this spring. You won't want to miss a minute of the action as Williams, Hingis, the Bryan Brothers and the rest of the Kastles battle to bring the King Trophy back to DC. With access to the best seats in each section, a discount to individual match pricing, and a wide range of exclusive perks, season tickets are the best way to join the Kastles for this historic 10th season running from July 16 - Aug. 2. A limited number of four-seat VIP tables and boxes are available, as well as individual seats with spectacular views in the Kastles Baseline Experience and Kastles Baseline Club. But hurry, the best seats are going fast! Season tickets start at $150 and can be purchased by calling 202-4-TENNIS (483-6647). For more information on the Washington Kastles, please visit www.WashingtonKastles.com or email Jeff@Washingtonkastles.com.




Images from this story

US Open Highlights
US Open Highlights
 US Open Highlights
US Open Highlights
  

• Discuss this story on the World TeamTennis message board...

World TeamTennis Stories from September 2, 2017


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central