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WTT Washington Kastles

Don't Miss Eastern Conference Championship Tonight in DC

July 25, 2013 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


The Washington Kastles are 6-0 in the Mylan World TeamTennis Playoffs, with league championships in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

That doesn't bode well for the Springfield Lasers, Texas Wild and Washington's opponent in tonight's Eastern Conference Championship, the Boston Lobsters.

The Kastles defeated the Lobsters in the 2011 Eastern Conference Championship match, and have won nine straight meetings with Boston overall.

In four head-to-head match-ups this season, Washington beat Boston...

25-12 on July 9 in Washington 23-18 on July 15 in Boston 19-18 on July 21 in Boston 25-9 on July 24 in Washington

The July 21 match in Boston came down to the wire, with Washington needing a Supertiebreaker to squeak by the Lobsters. But the Kastles swept all five sets in both DC matches, including a rout last night.

How Boston bounces back from a 16-game defeat in less than 24 hours is anybody's guess.

The Lobsters kept the match close on July 21 by capitalizing on Frederik Nielsen's team tennis debut as a substitute. They won the men's and mixed doubles sets typically played by Leander Paes, and stole a men's singles set that Bobby Reynolds served for.

But Paes returned from injury last night and was back at his best, while Reynolds avenged his loss to Amir Weintraub emphatically.

Though the 2011 and 2012 WTT Playoffs were held in Charleston, S.C., the Kastles enjoyed an electrifying home court advantage in DC during their first run to the league title back in 2009.

Following seven sold-out home matches during the regular season, the Kastles are expecting another energetic crowd this evening on the Southwest Waterfront.

We want you to join us tonight and, if we win, again on Sunday at 5 pm for the Mylan WTT Finals. In regular season matches against the Western Conference finalists, the Kastles went 1-1 against both the Wild and the Lasers, so a potential blockbuster championship match awaits.

You can buy seats for both of the playoff matches to save big! Savings are available for individual Grandstand and Chairback seats, as well as four-seat boxes and tables.

Playoff Value Pack Breakdown

Tickets One Match Both Matches Savings Grandstand Seat $15 $20 $10 Chairback Seat $35 $50 $20 Kastles Box $100 $150 $50 Premier Courtside Box $250 $400 $100 Dinner Table $500 $800 $200

Take advantage of this great deal by purchasing Chairback and Grandstand seats via the Playoff Value Pack at Ticketmaster.com. If you would like to purchase tables or boxes, please contact Kastles ticket representative John Coleman at 202-654-7047 or john@washingtonkastles.com.

Full details on the Playoff Value Pack -- including a Mylan WTT Finals refund policy in the event of a Kastles loss tonight -- can be found at WashingtonKastles.com.

If you cannot attend tonight's match, tune in at 7 pm via live online streaming at WashingtonKastles.com. And be sure to join the conversation throughout the evening on Facebook and Twitter.

Kastles Cap Regular Season with 10th Straight Win

Washington and Boston to Meet Again for Eastern Conference Title

The Washington Kastles routed the Boston Lobsters 25-9 on Wednesday at Kastles Stadium at The Wharf. Their reward?

An Eastern Conference Championship match against the same 5-9 Lobsters on Thursday at Kastles Stadium at The Wharf.

The Kastles improved to 12-2 on the season by sweeping all five sets against the Lobsters, who advanced to the playoffs by virtue of New York's loss to Philadelphia.

Their 16-game victory over the Lobsters was the second-most lopsided win in Kastles franchise history. On July 22, 2012, Washington defeated the Kansas City Explorers 25-8.

Washington has now won 10 consecutive matches overall, nine straight against Boston and 26 in a row against Eastern Conference opponents.

Should the Kastles capture the Eastern Conference title on Thursday, they will host the Western Conference champion -- either the Springfield Lasers or Texas Wild -- in the Mylan WTT Finals on Sunday at 5 pm. Washington previously captured the King Trophy in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Individual seats to the Kastles playoff matches are on sale now for as little as $15 to one match, or $20 to both, at Ticketmaster.com.

Four-seat boxes and tables are also available starting at $100 to one match and $150 to both. To order boxes or tables, please contact John Coleman at 202-654-7047 or john@washingtonkastles.com.

MXD - L. Paes/M. Hingis (WAS) def. E. Butorac/K. Marosi (BOS) 5-1

It didn't take long for Leander Paes to find his rhythm after a week away with injury. He held at love to begin the mixed doubles set with two aces, a service winner and a volley winner.

Paes and Martina Hingis made their move with a 2-1 lead and Katalin Marosi serving. Hingis hit a return winner to bring about three break points. She converted the second with a similarly strong return -- the ball clipping off an outstretched Eric Butorac's racquet.

Paes enjoyed another easy hold for 4-1, then the Kastles raced to quadruple set point on Butorac's serve.

After the left-handed Lobster saved the first, all four players engaged in an unforgettable rally.

Paes and Hingis took one huge cut after another, trying to pass Butorac and Marosi at the net. But the Lobsters' pair got every ball back -- about 10 in all. Butorac's final volley was a desperation stab that barely made it over the net but caught Hingis by surprise and forced an error.

Butorac pumped both his fists in jubilation as the Kastles crowd clapped in appreciation for an amazing point, even if it was won by the away team.

But there were still two more set points for Boston to save, and though Butorac did well to scoop a low volley, he was helpless when Hingis hit a winner off the net cord.

SCORE: Washington 5, Boston 1

WS - A. Rodionova (WAS) def. J. Craybas (BOS) 5-2

Having Anastasia Rodionova on his roster has been a luxury for Coach Murphy Jensen, especially the last two nights. Hingis, the No. 1-rated women's singles player in the league, rested for the playoffs and Washington hasn't missed a beat.

Coming off a 5-1 win over Anna-Lena Groenefeld on Tuesday, Rodionova defeated Jill Craybas of the Lobsters 5-2 to break open a 10-3 lead for Washington.

Rodionova's deep forehands and down-the-line backhands were on full display. She held for 2-1 with a down-the-line backhand winner, then extended her advantage to 3-1 on a Craybas double fault.

The set stayed on serve from there, with Rodionova clinching the victory on a crisp cross-court forehand winner.

SCORE: Washington 10, Boston 3

MD - L. Paes/B. Reynolds (WAS) def. E. Butorac/A. Weintraub (BOS) 5-2

Paes' men's doubles return also got off to a great start as he hit one of his patented, stop-on-a-dime drop volley winners to help Reynolds hold in the first game.

In the second game, Butorac hit an ace off the net cord that skipped past Paes. "Great serve," Boston coach Bud Schultz shouted, drawing a laugh from Paes.

After Butorac held, Paes started his service game with an ace that nipped the net and dribbled over. The Kastles captain winked at Schultz as he walked back to the baseline, drawing roars from the crowd.

But Paes was broken when Reynolds missed a volley, giving Boston the early 2-1 lead.

It didn't last long as Reynolds hit one return winner and Paes hit two to break Boston in the very next game.

Washington never relinquished its momentum. After Reynolds held for 3-2, Paes broke for 4-2 with a return winner that caught more of his frame than his strings. Butorac shook his head in disbelief at the Kastles' luck, while Paes and Reynolds grinned from across the net.

A love hold by Paes ended the set in Washington's favor, snapping a three-set losing streak for Paes and Reynolds.

SCORE: Washington 15, Boston 5

WD - M. Hingis/A. Rodionova (WAS) def. J. Craybas/K. Marosi (BOS) 5-3

The Kastles appeared well on their way to another easy win in women's doubles when they broke Craybas in the opening game of the set.

But the Lobsters clawed their way back on Rodionova's serve at 3-2, winning a spectacular point with three great gets at the net by Marosi, and another behind the baseline by Craybas.

After breaking for 3-3, however, Boston could not consolidate as Marosi double-faulted on a 3-all point to concede the lead right back to the Kastles.

With Hingis serving for the set, Rodionova hit a no-look winner, ducking to the court but keeping her racquet head above the net on a rapid return from Marosi. Somehow, the tennis ball found Rodionova's strings and landed flatly on the other side.

Though Boston forced a 3-all point on Hingis, the Hall-of-Famer won the set with a service winner.

SCORE: Washington 20, Boston 8

MS - B. Reynolds (WAS) def. A. Weintraub (BOS) 5-1

Serving as the closer at Kastles Stadium, Reynolds was right where he wanted to be against Amir Weintraub.

Reynolds entered with an 8-1 singles record on the season, but his only blemish came at the hands of Weintraub on July 21.

There would be no such result on this night with Reynolds taking over the set from 1-1.

He held for 2-1 with a blistering crosscourt winner before engaging in a see-saw battle on Weintraub's serve.

Reynolds won the first two points of the game, then both men blasted backhands at one another for what felt like dozens of shots. With a buzz around the stadium, Weintraub ended one of the best rallies of the season with a down-the-line backhand winner that struck the net cord and stayed in.

Both benches rose to their feet to salute the players. Though Weintraub won the point, it was Reynolds who won the game, breaking when a Weintraub backhand found the net.

Within minutes, the set and the match were over as Washington celebrated a 10th straight win and Boston began mulling over ways to reverse the result with the Eastern Conference Championship on the line.

SCORE: Washington 25, Boston 9

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