Falcons complete hat-trick of doubles victories to take commanding lead over the Kites
The Falcons have completed a clean sweep of their doubles matches for the second successive day at the 2023 World Tennis League
(Chryslene Caillaud/Panoramic)
Team Falcons have won all three of their doubles fixtures against the Kites to move into a 21-17 lead, with the two remaining singles matches still to play.
Elena Rybakina and Sorana Cirstea teamed up for the Falcons to face Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa of the Kites in the opening match of the day.
The Falcons duo moved an early break up but were quickly pegged back to parity in a highly watchable encounter full of entertaining exchanges.
As has been the theme of the weekend so far, it was a close contest. A deciding tiebreak was required, one which was taken by the Falcons 7-5 as Cirstea and Rybakina underlined their emerging status as an excellent doubles pairing.
The men’s doubles swiftly followed, with Taylor Fritz and Sumit Nagal of the Falcons teaming up to take on Grigor Dimitrov and Lloyd Harris for the Kites.
The second doubles match of the day presented a second tiebreak of the day as another breaker was needed to separate the two teams.
Again, it went the way of the Falcons. Fritz’s typically effective serving was a key component of the win as he and Nagal recovered from a 5-2 deficit in the tiebreak to clinch the match and deliver a second victory in as many matches for the Falcons.
The third and final doubles match of the tie was the mixed doubles with Fritz and Cirstea teaming up again for the Falcons, and Badosa partnering Harris for the Kites.
The teams exchanged breaks midway through the set before the Falcons pounced on a loose service game from Badosa in the twelfth and final game to clinch the win 7-5 and avoid a third straight match tiebreak.
“It’s been fun,” Fritz said after the Falcons’ win.
“I think we’re all kind of coming together really nicely and supporting each other.”
“It’s just great energy all around from all the team,” added Cirstea.
At the end of the doubles fixtures for this tie, the Falcons are top of the World Tennis League with 48 points, while the Kites sit in second place with 44.
Fritz will take on Dimitrov in the first of the two singles matches, before an eagerly anticipated clash between Sabalenka and Rybakina will round off the tie.
