Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 1/3/22
Long regarded as one of the most talented all-around stars in the sport, New York’s Danielle Daskalakis became the first American player to win a WR48 stop at the 2021 USHA Four Wall National Championships/2021/22 WR48 Stop #1 in Nashville in early December, joining Irish stars Catriona Casey (20), Martina McMahon (1), and Ailing Reilly (1) and the only winners in the tour’s 23-event history.
In winning her first WR48 stop, Daskalakis completed the “Nationals Singles Slam,” having won the 1-Wall small ball nationals, 1-Wall big ball nationals, 3-Wall small ball nationals, and now the 4-Wall nationals.
“This was my first 4-Wall national title and it was the last singles nationals title I needed,” stated Daskalakis. “Going into the match I couldn’t really sleep because I was so anxious going into the match. I feel a lot of weight lifted from me after winning, so I’m feeling on top of the world right now.”
Daskalakis Breaks Through on the WR48
- Danielle Daskalakis became the first American player to win a WR48 event in the 23rd WR48 event held (Casey: 20, Reilly: 1, McMahon: 1)
- Daskalakis ended Casey’s 8-tournament WR48 win streak in Nashville (Casey dns in Nashville)
- Daskalakis became the second left-handed player to win on the WR48 (McMahon), and third left-handed player to win on the three Race 4 Eight tours (McMahon, Fink)
- Daskalakis is the only Race 4 Eight champion to have also won the 1-Wall small ball and big ball singles national titles, the 3-Wall singles national title, and the 4-Wall national title. Wow!
- Daskalakis is the current 3-Wall national singles champion, current 4-Wall national champion, and currently the #1 player on the 2021/22 WR48 tour
- Danielle outscored her three opponents at the 2021 USHA Four Wall Nationals/WR48 Stop #1 by a combined 126-60 (68%)
Danielle now sits atop the 2021/22 WR48 points Race. Look for Danielle to continue to break barriers and add to her glittering resume at the second and third WR48 events of the year in Houston (February 18) and Salt Lake City (April 8).
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer