Adams Puts on a Show as Unbeaten Dukes Roll Along

The Newport Beach Dukes’ match against the Minnesota Penguins Tuesday night was supposed to belong to the Dukes’ Amy Frazier, who was returning to competitive tennis after a six-month hiatus.

But Katrina Adams, the forgotten Duke, took the spotlight away from Frazier.

Adams teamed with Frazier for a victory in doubles, then embarrassed Ginger Helgeson in singles to give Newport Beach a six-game advantage. The Dukes eventually won, 27-20, in overtime before an estimated crowd of 1,250 at John Wayne Tennis Club.

The Dukes’ victory raised their World TeamTennis record to 11-0 and reduces their magic number for winning the West Division to one. With three matches remaining, the Dukes have a two-match lead over Sacramento, which the Dukes have beaten twice. Minnesota fell to 5-6.

It wasn’t supposed to be this easy for the Dukes, who lost their best woman player when Zina Garrison-Jackson left to return to the women’s tour. And Frazier, her replacement, was an unknown quantity, even though she had played well for the Dukes over the last three years.

But Adams took care of everything--teaming with Frazier to beat Jessica Emmons and Helgeson, 6-4, and routing Helgeson, 6-2, in singles.

“Some nights you have it and some nights you don’t,” Adams said. “I had it (Tuesday).”

Adams had it all working against Helgeson, a former Pepperdine player who once was ranked 54th in the world. Drop volleys, backhand hook volleys, service aces, net courts, they were all falling in the court for Adams.

“I was relaxed and in control of every point, even the ones I lost,” she said. “(Helgeson) likes pace, so I tried to slow the ball down and keep it up the middle.”

Since Frazier is a replacement player, she can only play one set for her first two matches.

“The team’s been playing great,” Frazier said. “I was just happy to come in and play OK. I love team tennis. I just excited to get the chance to play.”

Adams slowed down a little in her third set, as she and Trevor Kronemann lost in mixed doubles to Helgeson and Paul Annacone, 6-4. But Adams held her serve in the first game of overtime to clinch the match.

Kronemann and Rikard Bergh lost their doubles match against Johann Kriek and Annacone, 6-4. But Bergh routed Kriek, 6-2, in singles.

The Dukes finish their season on the road with matches in Phoenix, Wichita and Kansas City.