Credit One Bank Day 4: Team Peace dominates two-point matches

Team Peace has taken a commanding lead in the Credit One Bank Invitational after the two days of two-point matches. Here’s a recap of Day 4 and a lookahead to the possible final day of the event.

Day 4 of the Credit One Bank Invitational has concluded and Bethanie Mattek-Sands’ Team Peace leads the Madison Keys-led Team Kindness 14-10. For the last two days of the tournament (today and tomorrow), all matches will be worth 3 points. The first team to 25 points is the winning team.

Match #1: Ajla Tomljanovic (Team Kindness) def. Monica Puig (Team Peace), 7-5, 6-2

Tomljanovic got off to a great start, beating the struggling Monica Puig in straight sets. Although the first set was close, Tomljanovic held on to win it and carried her momentum into the second. There, she converted 50% of her break points (3/6) and comfortably took the match.

(Team Peace leads 10-8)

Match #2: Emma Navarro/Jennifer Brady (Team Peace) def. Shelby Rogers (USA)/Alison Riske (Team Kindness), 6-2, 6-3

Emma Navarro has surprised many so far in this tournament; she nearly defeated Riske in singles on Day 3. This time, she defeats her in doubles with the help of Jennifer Brady. The pair played nearly flawless tennis, perfectly placing winners with pace and accuracy throughout the entirety of the match. Rogers and Riske, both Charleston natives, were flat and couldn’t get much going throughout the match.

(Team Peace leads 12-8)

Match #3: Danielle Collins (Team Peace) def. Victoria Azarenka (Team Kindness), 6-1, 7-5

Team Peace Captain, Bethanie Mattek-Sands has put together a truly strong group despite it looking inferior to Madison Keys’ lineup for the event. Another youngster, Danielle Collins, took care of the two-time major champion Azarenka in straight sets. She got out to a great start, breaking Azarenka twice and holding strong on her serve.

The second set was slightly shaky on serve in comparison; Collins was broken to tie the match at 5-all before she took her fourth break point of the match and held on to give her team the victory.

(Team Peace leads 14-8)

Match #4: Sloane Stephens (Team Kindness) def. Eugenie Bouchard (Team Peace), 6-3, 7-6 (7)

Stephens proved clutch for her team in a match where Team Peace could’ve taken a 16-8 lead heading into Day 5. Stephens took control of the match from the very beginning, and while the second set was close, it was Stephens who prevailed.

Bouchard had a shot to take the second set and could’ve turned the match on its head. In the ninth game of the set, with Bouchard leading 5-3, she failed to convert three set points on her serve. It took Stephens 6 break points in that game to bring the match back on serve. From there, Stephens regained composure and took the match.

(Team Peace leads 14-10)

Day 5 lookahead

Match #1 (Worth 3 points): Sofia Kenin (Team Peace) vs. Madison Keys (Team Kindness)

Match #2 (Three points): Ajla Tomljanovic/Caroline Dolehide (Team Peace) vs. Leylah Fernandez/Monica Puig (Team Kindness)

Match #3 (Three points): Sloane Stephens (Team Kindness) vs. Jennifer Brady (Team Peace)

Match #4 (Three points): Bethanie Mattek-Sands (Team Peace) vs. Shelby Rogers (Team Kindness)

With every match from this point on worth three points, it’s crucial for Team Kindness to make a comeback. Team Peace won 5 of the 8 two-point matches and could secure the tourament victory if they go 4-0 on Day 5. With the top-tier play of Kenin, Tomljanovic, and Mattek-Sands all set to hit the court, it’s very likely that the tournament could be over today.

Team Kindness needs to go at least 2-2 if they’re to have a good chance at winning during Day 6. Day 5 matches begin at 4 PM this afternoon.