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.