WTT Washington Kastles

Kastles Fall to Philadelphia 23-18 in Thrilling Match; Next Home

August 4, 2016 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


In a battle of the two unbeaten teams in WTT, the Kastles fell just short in their comeback attempt, finally succumbing 23-18 to a Philly team looking for revenge for last year's drubbing in the Eastern Conference final. The Kastles still own a dominant 15-6 lifetime record over their rivals from Philadelphia.

The Kastles roster was surprisingly different than the home opener just two days ago. Due to an injury to Mardy Fish on Tuesday night and an unexpected Olympic call-up for Anastasia Rodionova, JP Smith and Andreja Klepac were quickly added to the roster, and performed admirable in their DC debuts. Just two days ago, Klepac, the worlds 28th ranked doubles player, landed in Europe expecting a two week training break and got the text inviting her to join the Kastles for the remainder of the season. With great enthusiasm, she accepted and got a flight back to DC from Slovenia yesterday morning landing at Dulles just four hours before the match. Smith, who had faced the Kastles when he played WTT in 2012 and 2014, was in Atlanta and also jumped at his invitation on Tuesday to fill in for Fish and join a team he had long admired. Both players performed impressively despite the short notice.

The Kastles Captain Leander Paes teamed up with substitute JP Smith. Photo:Rich Kessler

In an unexpected twist, the Kastles Captain Leander Paes made yet another sacrifice for the Kastles, as he agreed to suit up again for the shorthanded Kastles just hours before his 10:05pm flight to Rio. Unsuspecting fans got to see Leander's doubles prowess and enthusiasm once more, as the Captain led the doubles lineup for another home match this season.

In the opening men's doubles set, JP Smith teamed up with Leander Paes to take on Fabrice Martin and Lukas Lacko. The teams held serve until Fabrice Martin dropped an unreturnable return right at the feet of Paes to break him and give Philly a 2-1 lead. Lukas Lacko consolidated the break with a strong service game to increase the Philadelphia lead to 3-1. Smith and Paes did not go away as they held Smith's serve and then got the break back when Smith dominated the net on two straight points, smashing a volley right at Martin. The Kastles got unlucky in the next game, when Martin took advantage of a ball hitting the net cord to smash a forehand on break point. Lacko would serve out the set the next game 5-3.

Leander stayed on for mixed doubles, teaming up with Andreja Klepac for the first time. Both teams were solid on serve, not giving their opponents any chances to break until the sixth game when Paes, as he as done many times, faced down two break points to get to 3-3. Klepac and Paes had two chances to break the next game on the Broady serve, but Philly coach Josh Cohen called timeout to regroup his team, and Broady held. The teams battled to a set tiebreak. It was Paes' third set tiebreak in two nights.

Fabrice Martin uncorked several big serves to give him and Broady a 2-0 advantage right away. Paes and Klepac battled back however, with Paes putting away an impressive overhead off a Klepac serve. The tiebreak reached a critical 4-all deciding set point that would decide if the match was stand at 9-8 or 10-7 following this set. Broady hit a strong deep return off a Klepac serve which Klepac couldn't get enough on and Martin poached the floater to put the set away.

Though he lost, Kastles fans gave Paes a long-standing ovation as he left the court to go directly to the airport to catch his flight to Rio.

JP Smith was up next, making his Kastles singles debut against the very consistent Lukas Lacko. Smith started off impressively, booming several aces his first game, but Lacko held just as easily the next game. Lacko started to find a groove after that, making several impressive defensive shots to break Smith and grab a 2-1 lead. Smith would go on to hold serve the rest of the way, but that break would prove decisive as Lacko won the event 5-3 as Philly took a 15-10 lead into halftime.

JP Smith was fiery in his Kastles debut. Photo: Rich Kessler

Madison Brengle who has been dominant in WTT this season going 15-2 in three singles matches was called upon to lead the Kastles comeback in the last two sets - first playing doubles for the first time this season and then the closing singles set.

She and Klepac teamed up for the first time ever against Naomi Broady and Samantha Crawford. The duo surprised the hard-hitting Broady and Crawford, absorbing many hard groundstrokes and grinding out points to keep themselves in close games. Brengle also played several impressive net points, surprising a Kastles Stadium crowd that was used to seeing her dance along the baseline.

Andreja Klepac pumps a fist as she and Brengle take down the Freedoms in women's doubles. Photo: Rich Kessler

After trading service holds through the first six games, the duo got a breakthrough when, at 3-3 in the set, Crawford double-faulted, and Klepac came up with a huge forehand to give her and Brengle break point, which they converted. Brengle held on the next game, absorbing booming Broady groundstrokes from the baseline to take the set 5-3.

The victory ignited the Kastles Stadium crowd, and pulled the Kastles to within 18-15. In the last set, Brengle was tasked with the monumental challenge of coming back from a three game deficit against one of the hardest-hitting players in the league. The task was win the set and, worst case, take the match into overtime or if she could win by a four or five game margin, the match would be over.

The matchup pitted the two best singles players in WTT against each other as Brengle and Broady were 1-2 in the women's singles standings. Their set did not disappoint. Brengle, using her impressive hustle and defensive ability, absorbed blow after blow from Broady, frustrating the Brit with her consistency.

Young fans were cheering hard for Brengle as she helped get the Kastles back into the match. Photo: Rich Kessler

Through four games and many long points, both players refused to budge on serve. Broady finally got the better of Brengle when she took a gamble on a huge forehand return winner to secure the break.

Brengle continued to battle, but Broady mixed hard, deep groundstrokes with well-timed and executed dropshots to keep Brengle guessing and out of her rhythm. change the pace and close out the set 5-3. It was a valiant effort by the Kastles young star but she lost 5-3 as the still undefeated Freedoms handed the Kastles their first loss of the season 23-18.

Madison Brengle, in the midst of a terrific year for the Kastles, falls just short against Philadelphia. Photo: Rich Kessler

Despite the sudden roster changes, the Kastles performed admirably, almost toppling one of the leagues best team. The Kastles will get another chance against the Freedoms next week, when they travel to Philadelphia on Thursday night in what could be a preview of the WTT Finals on August 26th.

The Kastles lineup in their special came uniforms before the match against the Philadelphia Freedoms. Photo: Rich Kessler

Nick Kyrgios Headlines Second Week of Kastles Matches

Giveaways, Exciting Young Players Highlight Another Stellar Week at Kastles Stadium

JP Morgan Chase, Kastles and Operation Homefront Team Up To Give Veteran a New Home

Sgt. Jonathan Meadows and Family Receive New Home in Special Ceremony at Halftime of Last Night's Match

Chairman of JP Morgan Chase Washington Region Peter Scher and Kastles Owner Mark Ein present the Meadows family with a new house.

Photo: Rich Kessler

In one of the most moving nights in Kastles history, a wounded veteran and his family were given a brand new house in an emotional halftime ceremony during last night's Military Night by JP Morgan Chase, the Kastles and Operation Homefront.

Kastles owner Mark Ein, Chairman of the JP Morgan Chase Washington Region Peter Scher, and Air Force Brigadier General John Pray shared emotional stories and recognized the incredible sacrifice of our veterans as they presented Sgt 1st Class Jonathan Meadows and his family with his new home.

Though halftime is normally reserved for discussing strategy, both the Kastles and the Freedoms players and the entire stadium, many with tears in their eyes, paused to applaud as Sgt. Jonathan Meadows, standing with his wife and two children on center court, received the house. Having serving three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Sgt. Meadows was honorably discharged from the Army after sustaining severe brain injuries, as well as physical injuries.

While Sgt. Meadows was receiving treatment for his injuries in Maryland, his family heard about a home in Hampstead through the Homes on Homefront program, which is supported by Chase. They applied for the mortgage-free home, and last night, Operation Homefront, Chase and the Washington Kastles were honored to recognize Jonathan's selfless service and award him and his family with that home.

It was a truly special moment that no one in attendance last night will ever forget.

Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama and Tina Tchen, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady, join the Meadows family and other presenters after the halftime ceremony. Photo: Rich Kessler

Epic Opening Week Produces Jaw-Dropping Highlights

Check Out Martina Hingis, Leander Paes, the Bryan Brothers, and Even Wolf Blitzer in First Week Highlights

Martina Hingis shows off her incredible court coverage in Mylan's "Every Point Counts" highlight of the week.

Check out the full highlights from the Kastles epic opening-night victory over Springfield, featuring the Bryan Brothers.

The Bryans won what was quite possibly the point of the year on Monday night. Click the image above to check it out!

Click here to hear CNN anchor Wolf Blitzers special announcement to the Kastles stadium crowd on Monday night.



World TeamTennis Stories from August 4, 2016


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