WTT Vegas bets on players with strong NorCal ties

Ex-Stanford stars Bob Bryan, right, and Mike Bryan will play for the Vegas
Rollers in World TeamTennis this season, July 12-Aug. 2 at The Greenbrier
resort in White Sulphur Springs, Va. File photo by Paul Bauman 

   The Vegas Rollers of World TeamTennis will have a distinct Northern California flair this season.
   The Rollers' roster includes former Stanford stars Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan and Kristie Ahn as well as San Francisco native Sam Querrey.
   Also on the team are Monica Puig, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist in women's singles from Puerto Rico, and Las Vegas product Asia Muhammad.
   The 42-year-old Bryan twins, who were born in Camarillo in the Los Angeles area and now live in Florida, have won a record 16 Grand Slam men's doubles titles.
   The Bryans played at Stanford in 1997 and 1998, helping the Cardinal win the NCAA title each year. Bob achieved a rare Triple Crown, capturing the NCAA singles, doubles (with Mike) and team titles in 1998.
   Ahn, a 28-year-old Stanford graduate, reached the round of 16 at last year's U.S. Open. She was born two miles from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the site of the U.S. Open, and lives in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., a 30-minute drive from the center.
   Querrey, a 32-year-old Las Vegas resident, advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals in 2017.
   Another player with NorCal ties, Sloane Stephens, will play for the Chicago Smash. The 27-year-old Fresno product won the 2017 U.S. Open and reached the final of the 2018 French Open.
   WTT will play its entire season at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.V. The regular-season is scheduled for July 12-30, and the four-team playoffs are set for Aug. 1-2.
   Play on the men's and women's pro tours has been suspended until at least Aug. 3.
   Here are this season's WTT rosters (future additions possible):
   Chicago Smash – Genie Bouchard, Evan King, Brandon Nakashima, Rajeev Ram, Sloane Stephens. Coach: Kamau Murray.
   New York Empire – Kim Clijsters, Mardy Fish, Sabine Lisicki, Kveta Peschke, Neal Skupski, Jack Sock. Coach: Luke Jensen.
   Orange County Breakers – Luke Bambridge, Steve Johnson, Andreja Klepac, Milos Raonic. Coach: Rick Leach.
   Orlando Storm – Danielle Collins, Darija Jurak, Tennys Sandgren, Ken Skupski, James Ward. Coach: Jay Gooding.
   Philadelphia Freedoms – Caroline Dolehide, Sofia Kenin, Fabrice Martin, Taylor Townsend, Donald Young. Coach: Craig Kardon.
   San Diego Aviators – Ryan Harrison, Christina McHale, Nicole Melichar, Jonny O'Mara, Coco Vandeweghe. Coach: John Lloyd.
   Springfield (Mo.) Lasers – Hayley Carter, Olga Govortsova, Mitchell Krueger, Robert Lindstedt, Caty McNally, Jean-Julien Rojer. Coach: John-Laffnie de Jager.
   Vegas Rollers – Kristie Ahn, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Asia Muhammad, Monica Puig, Sam Querrey. Coach: Tim Blenkiron.
   Washington (D.C.) Kastles – Marcelo Arevalo, Nick Monroe, Bernarda Pera, Arina Rodionova, Frances Tiafoe. Coach: Robby Ginepri.