Freedoms hand Austin Aces their first defeat

Underdogs had their day Thursday as the Freedoms knocked off the previously unbeaten Austin Aces, 22-14, at Villanova's Pavilion.

The Aces had opened the World TeamTennis season with eight straight victories before falling to the Freedoms (4-6).

The Freedoms' Robby Ginepri faced a daunting challenge in the men's singles matchup. His opponent, Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia, led the league with 33 aces and 40 singles victories.

From the moment Ginepri released the ball from his hand for the game's opening serve, it became clear that he was anything but an underdog.

"We know our position since we started the year, so slowly, trying to turn it up a little right now," Ginepri said. "I really wasn't worried about what [Gabashvili] was doing, just focusing on myself."

Ginepri shut down Gabashvili's powerful forehand return in a 5-2 victory.

In women's singles, Taylor Townsend fed off the high energy in the Pavilion, storming back to defeat Austin's Nicole Gibbs, 5-3.

Ginepri paired with Marcelo Melo in men's doubles to defeat Gabashvili and partner Jarmere Jenkins, 5-3.

The steamroller effect continued in women's doubles, with Townsend and Abigail Spears stifling Gibbs and Alla Kudryavtseva with a punishing 5-1 win. The Freedoms' chemistry on the court was undeniable as the pair exchanged high fives and hip bumps with each point won.

In mixed doubles, Melo and Townsend fell, 5-1, to Jenkins and Kudryavtseva, forcing sudden-death extended play to seal the Freedoms' victory. In the final game, Melo and Townsend won, 1-0.