Adios Michelle! Warburg Storms Miami

Who's next?
Year after year, the CAPS have been able to count on Elena Likhovtseva to step up against any and all WTT female competitors. However, she can't play doubles on her own. From 17-year-old Nicole Vaidisova to 15-year-olds Anastassia Pavlyuchenkova and last year's WTT rookie, Michelle Larcher de Brito, the CAPS have brought in young talent to accompany the veteran.

Now, the CAPS have learned "the kid" will not return for the 2008 season. This summer, Larcher de Brito is planning to increase her tournaments and training. She and her family have decided that playing for the CAPS just doesn't fit in the youngster's schedule. Although she might miss shopping at the Galleria, this teen has bigger things on her mind. The CAPS thank her for her efforts in last year's championship run and wish her luck with her promising career!

Sam I am
After missing his chance at qualifying for the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells, Sam Warburg showed up in Miami this week with a chip on his shoulder. At Indian Wells, Warburg was up 6-0, 5-3 against Italy's Fablo Fognini before falling 6-0, 6-7(2), 2-6. If you play competitive tennis, you know the feeling...

However, in Miami this week, Warburg has been playing with renewed confidence. Just to qualify for the main draw at the Sony Ericsson Open, he beat two higher-ranked players. First was a 7-6(1), 6-3 victory over Argentina's Juan Pablo Brzezicki, ranked 117. Next came the big win over Australia's Chris Guccione, ranked 68, 7-6(4), 6-2 to get into the main draw.

The local CAP, Warburg reached his career-high ranking last month, and stands at 157 today. But look for that to jump after his upset win over world No. 37 Potito Starace in the first round, 7-6(2), 6-2. He will face Guillermo Canas tomorrow afternoon.

CAPS Players Heat Things up in the Desert

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Nine and Counting...
Mark Knowles continued his hot streak with partner Mahesh Bhupati with a win on Monday in the first round of the Pacific Life Open. That's nine in a row for the pair, who look to take over the top spot in the Stanford ATP Doubles Race with a third straight title. It won't be easy, though, as they are on a collision course for a potential semifinal showdown against the No. 1 team in the world (if you're a CAPS fan at all, you better know who we're talking about). If the two teams do end up facing off, I have to wonder who CAPS Coach Wayne Bryan will be rooting for. I'm guessing he's always pulling for his twin boys, but he and "Knowlesy" certainly have some history, both on tour and here in Sacramento...

Tursunov TV
How about former CAPS MVP and local talent Dmitry Tursunov? After a close second round loss to Juan Ignacio Chela 6-7(1), 7-6(6), 6-4, he still found a way to entertain the crowd at Indian Wells. For his online blogging duties, Tursunov created a video blog in which he roamed the grounds, asking fans for their input on anything from his new bearded look to who the sexiest men are on tour. He even tried to get Daniela Hantuchova's vote in the ongoing battle he has with Knowles -- who is better looking? It seems that ever since the two played together for the CAPS, Dmitry has been trying to set the record straight. Hantuchova was no help though, as she kindly replied, "both of you."
For more, check out his blog at atptennis.com, then take part in our survey (below).
** Ladies, this is your chance to weigh in:
1) Do you like Dmitry better with or without the beard?
2) So who is better looking? Dmitry or Mark?

CAPS Roster Nears Completion
This week, the CAPS finalized deals to return Sam Warburg and veteran Elena Likhovtseva for the 2008 season. Also, according to co-owner Lonnie Nielson, the CAPS will draft 26-year-old Eric Butorac to fill the void left by Mark Knowles. No, "Knowlesy" is not leaving the CAPS behind; his wife is expecting their second child in July, so he might be a little tied up this summer. Whether or not youngster Michelle Larcher de Brito will return is yet to be determined.
** Who would you most like to see play live?

Anna K. Reflects on CAPS Experience
The CAPS 2006, '07 marquee player, Anna Kournikova, was featured on the front page of AOL Sports last week. Dave Hollander's interview provided good insight into Kournikova's current ventures and lifestyle -- she shared thoughts on her first trip to Rio de Janeiro's Carnival celebration, traveling in general, and how she misses her days competing on tour, among other things. Most importantly, though, was Kournikova's response to the following question: "What sad words of farewell would you like to tell the good people of Sacramento?" You'll have to visit the link provided to find out, but I will tell you she gave a shout out to CAPS players Mark Knowles, Elena Likhovtseva, Coach Bryan, and owner Lonnie Nielson! She also expressed no bad feelings for being traded, although some male CAPS fans may take isssue with it.
To read the entire interview, please visit: http://money.aol.com/taxNCID=aolprf00030000000001

Former CAPS Post Mixed Results
Nicole Vaidisova has come a long way since playing for the CAPS as a young 16-year old. However, as the seven seed at the 2008 Pacific Life Open, she dropped her second round match to Casey Dellacqua in three sets. Dellacqua is another young player to watch. She is climbing up the ranking ladder after a strong showing in her homeland -- the Australian Open.

Former WTT Female MVP Lindsay Davenport, who was with the team for three of its seven championship seasons, is into the fourth round at the Pacific Life Open, where she will face Marion Bartoli of France. What a feel-good story Davenport has provided for fans of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour! The new mother has shown signs of her former self, which is bad news for the rest of the women's tour. With crowds strongly behind her and the pressure off, Davenport looks like a little kid again, just enjoying every moment, something we don't see too often in professional sports. Refreshing!

Knowles on a Roll; CAPS release '08 Schedule

CAPS happenings this week

     The 2007 WTT Champions found out just what the road to another title will look like this summer. The CAPS will launch their 2008 campaign with back-to-back matches July 3 and 4 at Allstate Stadium at Westfield Galleria, Roseville.  So be sure to have your holiday BBQs during the day so you can make it out for two great nights of tennis.  The team will be returning its key players from last year's title run and look to improve on its 11-3 match record.  Players must sign up for WTT play by March 22 with a draft to be held April 1.  Check back for who the CAPS will sign as the "marquee player" and for finalized rosters.  Also, visit us at www.saccapitals.com anytime!

Mark eyes 50 titles

     CAPS doubles specialist Mark Knowles and partner Mahesh Bhupati are on a roll.  The duo won their second tournament in a row today with a win over Martin Damm and Pavel Vizner in the Dubai Tennis Championships.  The runners up took out the 2007  WTT Male MVP Daniel Nestor (who happens to be Knowles's former partner) and Nenad Zimonjic in the semis.  Looks like Knowles is handling the change just fine, as he and Bhupati are 13-3 this year and have won their last eight matches without dropping a set.  This was Mark's 49th career doubles title, not to mention the Kings Cup Trophies he's won with the CAPS!

     Also worth noting is that Andy Roddick seems to be back!  After a slow 2007 season, Roddick won in Dubai, taking out Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-2.  After winning the SAP Open in San Jose just two weeks ago, that's also two in a row for the American.  Maybe a break from hanging with all those A-List celebs has done the man some good.  Speaking of A-Listers, Venus and Serena Williams played each other today... 

Random Thoughts

     Did anyone see the Kings strong finish against the Lakers on Tuesday night?  What was once a great cross-state rivalry is no more.  The 'Lake Show' seemed to give the Kings players (and their fans) a false sense of hope before ending the game on a 26-5 run.  I can deal with the loss, but could've done without the Laker fans who roamed Arco Arena afterwards taunting the Kings faithful.  There tends to be more class shown by the fans out at Allstate Stadium, so there's nothing to worry about when bringing the whole family to a CAPS match.  

     On a much more serious note, Cody Tappan, son of Spare Time, Inc's Mark Tappan, was in car accident back on Feb. 23 that left the 17 year-old in a coma for almost two days and with a head injury.  Cody is currently trying to regain his speech and has made tremendous strides toward what the Tappan's hope will be a full recovery.  Best wishes to Cody and the Tappan family. 

Knowles and Mahesh win 1st title

Top seeds Mark Knowles and Mahesh Bhupathi captured their first ATP title together at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis as they defeated Thai twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana 7-6(5), 6-2 in one hour and 16 minutes. Bhupathi-Knowles, won their first tournament together as a team. The title was Knowles' 48th career crown. Congrats to Mark. In looking at the schedule, it looks like a week at home for Mark to be with Dawn and Graham. The following week, things will pick back up at the big tour stop in Indian Wells. If you are heading south, make sure to give Mark, Sam Warburg, and Nicole Vaidisova a "Go Caps". They always appreciate the support from the Caps fans. Elena is skipping the event at Indian Wells this year, but we will see her down in Miami. She is playing a limited schedule this year. Michelle will also be playing in Miami and trying to defend her first round victory points that she gathered by defeating Megan Shaunessy....On another note, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova said hi to all the Caps fans. She is still playing a few junior events. Her ranking is in the 300s. She is looking to move up by getting into more pro tournaments all the time.

Knowles Buphati in Finals

Mark Knowles and Mahesh Buphati head into the finals of the tournament in Memphis.  They beat the duo of Haggard and Melzer 7-6 (9), 6-2.  They are awaiting there opponents for tomorrows final.  Here's a big Caps cheer for Knowlsey in the finals.  Keep an eye out for the results tomorrow.  As always, a great resource for timely results is www.atptennis.com.  On the women's side a great site is wtatour.com.