Isner And Bartoli Sign On For WTT Smash Hits

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 26th September 2013

Isner And Bartoli Sign On For WTT Smash Hits

epa03845652 John Isner of the US hits a return to Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany during their match on the sixth day of the 2013 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 31 August 2013. The US Open runs through Monday 09 September, a 15-day schedule for the first time. EPA/PETER FOLEY |

Top-ranked American John Isner, 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli and rising U.S. stars Vicky Duval and Taylor Townsend have been added to the lineup for Mylan WTT Smash Hits.

Joining them November 17 in Orlando, Florida are Andy Roddick and Venus Williams. The annual charity event is co-hosted by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King.

Over the past two decades, WTT Smash Hits has raised more than $11.5 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and various local AIDS charities since 1993. This year’s 21st annual event will benefit EJAF and the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida. A portion of the funds raised at the pre-match VIP Reception and Auction will be specifically targeted for local programs.

Isner, the current 2013 season aces leader on the ATP World Tour, is expected to battle another big server Andy Roddick in men’s singles at Mylan WTT Smash Hits.

Duval and Townsend are two of the brightest rising stars in American tennis. The 17-year-old Duval burst onto the national stage with an upset win over former US Open champion Samantha Stosur in the opening round of the US Open. Duval quickly became a fan favorite with her personality and gritty determination, and has been the focus of the media spotlight since the US Open with a recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Townsend, 17, finished the 2012 season as the world’s top-ranked junior player after winning four Grand Slam junior titles in singles and doubles. She captured the junior singles and doubles titles at the 2012 Australian Open, and she added the junior doubles titles at last year’s Wimbledon and the US Open.

The event will feature a Mylan WTT match with two teams captained by King and John. Tennis action is set for 6 p.m. ET with the pre-match VIP Reception and Auction kicking off at 4:30 p.m. King and John have split the two-decade series with 10 wins each. King’s squad bested Team Elton last year 19-17 in Overtime.

Topics: Andy Roddick, Billie Jean King, John Isner, Marion Bartoli, Taylor Townsend, Tennis, Tennis News, Venus Williams, Wimbledon