Kastles Host NY Tonight at 5:30pm
July 21, 2018 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release
Robert Lindstedt of the Washington Kastles
(Washington Kastles, Credit: Kevin Koski)
Its going to be a big tennis night in DC Tonight as Frances Tiafoe plays his last match of the season for the Kastles and Kastles Legend Leander Paes returns to DC to sit in on the match, meet fans at the pre-match VIP reception and participate in the post-match Kids Autograph session. The nationally televised match (ESPNews) is very close to sold out, so don't wait to get your tickets for a night that promises to be a memorable one.
The Kastles will take on the New York Empire having won their two prior meetings, topping the Empire, 22-18, in the season opener and edging them again, 21-20, in Washington's home opener earlier this week.
After last night's loss against the Philadelphia Freedoms, the Kastles are now tied for second place in the league. New York, on the other hand, has yet to win a match this season but has played close matches virtually very night. The team lost to the San Diego Aviators last night in Flushing Meadows and is currently in last place in the WTT standings.
DC's own Frances Tiafoe leads the Kastles in his last match of the season!
College Park native Frances Tiafoe will get a rematch against Dennis Novikov. Novikov forced Tiafoe to clinch the Kastles' home opener in a Supertiebreaker Monday night, but Tiafoe will look to close out the Empire by a larger margin tonight.
The Kastles will also look to improve their head-to-head in doubles. New York swept DC in all three doubles sets the last time they played, but tonight the Kastles lineup will include 2018 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles champion and Women's Doubles finalist Nicole Melichar, who made her Kastles debut this Thursday. Melichar and Robert Lindstedt will likely lead off the match in mixed doubles against Neal Skupski and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who are currently the league leaders in this category.
In women's doubles, Melichar will team up with her good friend Madison Brengle against Martinez Sanchez and Tatjana Maria, another formidable combination. And in men's doubles, Lindstedt and Tiafoe will get another crack at Novikov and Skupski, who were on fire the last time they met.
If Coach Murphy Jensen repeats his preferred order of play against the Empire, Kastles all-star Madison Brengle will face Empire rookie Tatjana Maria in women's singles in the fourth set of the match. This set was critical to the Kastles' win the last time they played. Brengle's 5-1 victory made all the difference. But Maria won their first face-off in New York, 5-3. Both are passionate competitors who thrive off the energy of a crowd and both will leave everything they have on the court to take the edge for their team.
SET-BY-SET-PROJECTIONS
MXD - R. Lindstedt/N. Melichar (WAS) vs. M. Martinez Sanchez/N. Skupski (NY)
WD - M. Brengle/N. Melichar (WAS) vs. T. Maria/M. Martinez Sanchez (NY)
MD - F. Tiafoe/R. Lindstedt (WAS) vs. D. Novikov/N. Skupski (NY)
WS - M. Brengle (WAS) vs. T. Maria (NY)
MS - F. Tiafoe (WAS) vs. D. Novikov (NY)
Images from this story
World TeamTennis Stories from July 21, 2018
- New York Empire Fall to Washington Kastles, 20-18 - New York Empire
- Kastles Host NY Tonight at 5:30pm - Washington Kastles
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Washington Kastles Stories
- Kastles Roland Garros Highlights: Kostyuk Stuns Muguruza; Serena, Venus & Tommy Headline Action Today on Tennis Channel
- Bruno Clinches Year-End #1 Doubles Ranking; Kudla Returns to Winners' Circle
- Osaka Roars Back & Defeats Azarenka in Historic All-Kastles US Open Final; Bruno Wins Men's Doubles Championship
- US Open Update: Kastles Stars Dominating Women's Draw
- 2020 Season in Review: No King Trophy, But Plenty to be Proud of for the Kastles
