Capitals handle Breakers

Rick Devereux

The Newport Beach Breakers looked broken Tuesday night in a 25-13

loss to the Sacramento Capitals and the main reason was Mark Knowles.

Knowles stole the show away from the Bryan brothers, playing for

Newport and facing their father for the second time in as many

nights.

“It’s very tough, Wayne Bryan said about coaching against his

sons. “I’m conflicted because I want my team to do well, but I also

want my boys to play well.”

Knowles played extremely well for Sacramento (11-1), jumping for

powerful slams in men’s doubles, acing serves in men’s singles and

firing line shots in mixed doubles.

“Mark was on fire in all three sets he played [Tuesday night],”

Mike Bryan said.

The Capitals won all five sets, the first time Newport (7-4) has

not won at least one set all year. Aniko Kapros, who lost her first

women’s singles set Monday night against Nicole Vaidisova in

Sacramento, looked tentative, slow and injured in her 5-2 loss to

Vaidisova Tuesday.

“Aniko won’t make any excuses,” Breakers Coach Dick Leach said.

“But Knowles was the difference in the match.”

Knowles dominated Bob Bryan in men’s singles, 5-1, taking the

first three games and only allowing five total points.

“I was playing at a high level in the singles set,” Knowles said.

“You’ve got to play that way when you face the Bryan brothers.”

Knowles has played against the Bryans before. The Bryans, who are

the United States’ men’s doubles team for the Athens Olympics, the

USA Davis Cup team and the recent Mercedes-Benz classic champions,

took the No. 1 world rankings away from Knowles and his partner,

Daniel Nestor, this year.

“There is a great rivalry there,” Knowles said. “We compete hard

on the court. But after the match we are great friends.”

Knowles’ inspired play was the main reason for the demise of the

Breakers. But fatigue may have played a part in the loss, as well.

The Bryan brothers won the Mercedes-Benz Cup Sunday night at UCLA

and flew to Sacramento that night to play in Monday’s match for the

Breakers and then flew back down Tuesday to play again.

“Knowles played great, but the schedule has been hectic,” Bob

Bryan said. “We’re looking forward to some time off.”

All three of Newport’s remaining matches are on the road: at

Kansas City tonight, at the New York Sportimes Saturday and at

Hartford Sunday.