Paes, Rodionova lead victory over Freedoms
The Washington Kastles were struggling in women’s doubles Sunday night. But Anastasia Rodionova became a hero to many when she took an angry swipe at the net with her racquet and smashed the unmistakable silhouette of a certain overexposed insurance gecko.
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The lizard logo survived the assault, and so did Washington’s league-record winning streak on a long night at Kastles Stadium. After a thunderstorm delayed the start 90 minutes, the Kastles rallied past the Philadelphia Freedoms 22-13.
When the Kastles (5-0) play host to the Boston Lobsters (2-2) on Monday night, they will take the court with Venus Williams for the first time this year and with a 21-match winning streak. It is the second meeting of the teams in four days. Washington won Friday night in Boston 24-19.
On Sunday, Rodionova’s smash was good therapy. After she and her sister, Arina Rodionova, were thumped by the 6-foot Pliskova twins, Karolina and Kristyna, Anastasia rebounded for a resounding victory in women’s singles.
Rodionova’s 5-2 victory over Karolina Pliskova gave the Kastles a commanding 17-12 lead, taking pressure off the shoulders of men’s singles standout Bobby Reynolds. After breaking Pliskova in the sixth game, Rodionova displayed her power, winning all four points to close out the set.
Leander Paes and Reynolds again excelled for the Kastles. After Reynolds lost the first game in men’s doubles, double faulting on the first and final points, he and Paes throttled Jordan Kerr and Luka Gregorc the rest of the way in a 5-2 victory.
In mixed doubles, the Kastles remained undefeated as Paes put away the decisive point, intercepting a volley at the net and stroking it between Kerr and Kristyna Pliskova for the lone break of a 5-3 victory.
Paes also executed the signature point of the men’s doubles, stretching wide for a volley that he slipped down the line for the Kastles’ final break, then high-fiving three of Washington’s most enthusiastic fans sitting courtside.
In the final set of the night, Reynolds, constantly referred to by Paes as the Kastles’ “closer,” performed to expectations, remaining undefeated with a 5-1 victory over Gregorc.
