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WTT Washington Kastles

Kastles Down Sportimes 22-16; Regular Season Home Finale Tonight

July 21, 2010 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


The Washington Kastles put themselves in good position for a World TeamTennis playoff berth last night with a 22-16 win over John McEnroe and the rival New York Sportimes.

Needing the win to stop a four-game losing skid and remain one of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the Kastles responded with one of their most decisive victories of the year, winning four of five sets and clinching two crucial tiebreakers.

With the win, the Kastles moved to within a half-match of the Sportimes for the Eastern Conference lead. They also remained a half-match ahead of the Boston Lobsters, who beat the New York Buzz 25-9.

Newest Kastle Vika Azarenka won her singles set against one of the top players in the WTT.

Last night, the Kastles were in control from the very beginning, showing no evidence of the two previous losses to the Sportimes this season. And the match was not without some controversy, as is often the case when McEnroe is involved.

McEnroe took on the Kastles' Bobby Reynolds in the opening set and Reynolds jumped out to a quick start, winning the first game and earning a break point off McEnroe's serve. Reynolds hit a strong shot to McEnroe's forehand that was initially called out. The Kastles challenged the line call and it was overturned. The chair umpire awarded the point to the Kastles but McEnroe and the Sportimes vocally and forcefully appealed, arguing that the point should have been replayed. For the fans, it was flashback to McEnroe's days on tour when such displays were commonplace. A WTT official was summoned to the court, and he ruled in favor of the Sportimes. Reynolds made the argument moot by winning the next point to earn the break of serve and take a 2-0 lead in the set.

In the next game, McEnroe mocked Reynolds for his enthusiastic grunting and fist-pumping, and was also handed a code violation by the chair umpire for directing profanity at fans sitting behind the Sportimes bench.

Tensions were high, and it seemed there might be a repeat of the verbal sparring from a match last season involving McEnroe, his Sportimes' teammate Robert Kendrick and the Kastles' Leander Paes and Rennae Stubbs. That match resulted in fines for both teams, and was a top highlight on ESPN.

But Reynolds let his strong play do the talking, as he took three of the next four games, finishing off the set 5-1 with an inside-out forehand winner on a deciding 3-all point.

Leander Paes and Bobby Reynolds, one of the WTT's top doubles tandems, led a furious comeback in the final event to secure the match for the Kastles. Courtesy of Max Cook. The Kastles' Victoria Azarenka then took on the Sportimes Abigail Spears in a set featuring fierce groundstrokes. Azarenka was ranked 7th in the world in singles last year and Spears, while less heralded on tour, has been tearing it up this WTT season and came in with the second-best singles record in the league. The players exchanged holds of serve until Spears earned a break point on Azarenka up 3-2. Azarenka saved the break point after a long rally that ended when Spears hit a forehand into the net. But she then double faulted at 3-all to give the Sportimes the game and the 4-2 lead.

Raindrops then began to fall and the wind picked up, and it appeared that the match might be suspended. But Azarenka was stayed focused and rebounded quickly, winning all four points off Spears' serve and then three of the next four to move within 1 point of forcing a tiebreaker. Spears then rallied back, setting up a big 3-all point with a ferocious down-the-line forehand winner. The two players then engaged in a long rally that ended when Spears hit a forehand long. The Sportimes challenged the call, but it was upheld which now tied the set at 4-4.

At that point, rain was falling heavily enough that WTT officials suspended the match for one hour and five minutes. Following the delay, most fans returned to Kastles Stadium and the team encouraged those in the bleacher section to "Storm the Kastle" by moving down closer to the court, creating an even more intimate and exciting environment.

And Azarenka did not disappoint the loyal fans, jumping on Spears early by playing aggressively and winning the tiebreaker 5-1.

Kastles fans of all ages came out last night to cheer their team their team in a much-needed victory over the Sportimes. Courtesy of Max Cook. Up 10-5, the Kastles had a chance to put the match further out of reach in mixed doubles, as Azarenka and Paes took on McEnroe and Spears. The Kastles took a 2-0 lead after McEnroe double-faulted on game point following a foot fault. He berated the linesman for the foot fault call saying "I haven't been called for a foot fault in 10-15 years."

Azarenka held serve in the next game to give the Kastles a 3-0 lead, converting game point with a hard volley that split the middle of the court. The two teams then exchanged holds of serve and the Kastles finished off the set, 5-2, to take an overall 15-7 lead in the match.

But the Sportimes did not give in. In the fourth set, Azarenka and Rennae Stubbs found themselves down 4-1 against Spears and Ashley Harkleroad. The Kastles regained one game after a long and intense rally between Harkleroad and Azarenka that ended when Stubbs put away a volley down the middle of the court. But the Kastles could not break in the next game, and lost the set, 5-2, as the Sportimes cut the score to 17-12.

It was up to Paes and Reynolds to put away the match against Robert Kendrick and Jesse Witten in doubles. The Sportimes took an early lead, breaking Paes' serve and followed by a quick Kendrick hold to go up 2-0. With the Sportimes holding two break points to go up 3-0 and draw the match to within 2 games, Reynolds responded with a service winner and Paes put away a volley to win the game and keep the Kastles close at 2-1. The two teams exchanged holds of serve until the Sportimes were up 4-3 and giving Jesse Witten a service game to put away the set. For the second time in the match, the Kastles responded to break at love and force a tiebreak. Needing to win the tiebreak to avoid overtime, the Kastles carried their momentum to a 5-0 win after ending the match when Witten's return of Paes' serve landed wide.

The Kastles will host the St. Louis Aces tonight in a critical match featuring the ever popular Anna Kournikova. They will then travel to Boston tomorrow for the final match of the regular season, a potential must-win contest for both teams. If they win both matches and the Sportimes finish with a loss to the Newport Beach Breakers tomorrow, the Kastles would host a playoff match on Friday in Washington. Stay tuned for information on how to get your tickets, which will be available soon.

Playoffs on the Line Tonight as Kastles Meet Anna Kournikova and the Aces in 2010 Regular Season Home Finale!

The Washington Kastles will continue their playoff push Wednesday night against the St. Louis Aces, when Anna Kournikova comes to town.

The atmosphere at Kastles Stadium will be hot as Kournikova takes on Victoria Azarenka in a battle of two tennis heartthrobs.

And there's plenty on the line for both teams, as the Kastles fight to remain alive for an Eastern Conference playoff berth and the home court for the Conference Championship while the Aces are in a four-way battle for a berth out of the Western Conference.

A loss on Wednesday would eliminate any chance of the Kastles earning the Eastern Conference top seed and a home playoff match on Friday. And it would also set up a must-win match against the Boston Lobsters on Thursday night.

The Kastles' Bobby Reynolds and Leander Paes should have a strong edge in the men's events Wednesday, as the Aces rank last in WTT in men's singles and second-to-last in men's doubles. The last time these teams squared off in St. Louis on July 10, the Kastles won 23-16 with Venus Williams in the Kastles line-up.

The Kastles will also quench your thirst and save you money tomorrow night, when all Corona beers will sell for just $2 and all wine will be $3. The Drink Special will be available at all beverage stands inside Kastles Stadium.

This is the last regular season match in 2010 and will have a playoff atmosphere, so don't miss on out on what could be your last chance to catch the Kastles in action this season. Tickets are going fast, so contact Ticketmaster online or call 202-397-7328.

Save the Date: Kastles Could Host Eastern Conference Finals Friday Night

The Kastles haven't clinched anything yet, but fans should set aside Friday night for a possible home playoff match. After a 22-16 win over the New York Sportimes last night, the Washington Kastles still control their own destiny for one of two playoff spots out of the Eastern Conference. The team could still secure the conference's top seed and a home playoff match Friday with wins in the last two matches and a loss by the Sportimes on Thursday night in Newport Beach.

The Kastles (7-5) are now a half-match back of the Sportimes (8-5) for the Eastern Conference lead and hold a half-match lead over the Boston Lobsters (7-6).

The Kastles play the St. Louis Aces tonight and travel to Boston for a season-ending match against the Lobsters on Thursday. The Sportimes finish their regular season against the Newport Beach Breakers on Thursday.

For the Kastles to secure a home playoff match Friday, they must win their last two matches and hope the Sportimes lose to the Breakers. If the Sportimes win Thursday, the Kastles can't win the conference but would secure a second place finish and playoff berth with two wins. The Kastles could also secure a playoff berth if they lose to the Aces, but defeat the Lobsters on Thursday night. There are also scenarios that involve a 3 way tie that would be decided by games won against common opponents which, at the moment, are very close.

With so much on the line, every point, every game, every set and every match matters as the Kastles fight to "Do It Again in 2010".



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