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WTT Washington Kastles

Kastles Lose Heartbreaker in NYC

July 6, 2010 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


NEW YORK - It was a gut-wrenching start to the 2010 season for the Washington Kastles, who lost 21-20 in a supertiebreaker to the New York Sportimes Monday night after mounting a remarkable comeback to tie the match.

The Kastles very nearly snatched victory from defeat thanks to the heroics of the #1 draft pick in the WTT draft Bobby Reynolds, but ultimately fell just short as the Sportimes took the season opener at Sportime Stadium at Randalls Island. While the result was disapointing, the team demonstrated the talent and determination that could lead it to a second straight league crown.

Reynolds, appearing in his World TeamTennis debut, entered the last set with his team down 16-13 needing two breaks of serve in the last set and overtime against hard-hitting ATP veteran Jesse Witten to force a tie and a Supertiebreaker. Reynolds got the first break at 3-3 but then was broken right back to force a tiebreaker which he won 5-2 to bring the match to 20-18. At this point, Reynolds needed to hold serve and then break Witten to win overtime 2-0 and force the Supertiebreaker. He did just that in nail-biting fashion saving two match points along the way. But the magic ran out, as Witten took an early lead in the supertiebreaker which he maintained to win 7-3.

If there is any consolation, the 2009 version of the Kastles began the season in precisely the same fashion with a 21-20 loss to the Newport Beach Breakers, but rebounded to earn a playoff berth and win the World TeamTennis Championship.

The Kastles found themselves behind early Monday night, after the Sportimes' Robert Kendrick and Abigail Spears won the first set 5-2 over Leander Paes and Rennae Stubbs in mixed doubles. It was an uncharacteristic loss for Paes and Stubbs, but understandable given that Paes had flown back from London earlier in the day after winning the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon on Sunday.

Stubbs and the young Angela Haynes showed great tenacity in tying the match back up with a 5-2 win over Spears and Ashley Harkleroad in women's doubles. The pair won 22 of 34 points in the set, and never faced a break point.

Reynolds then joined with Paes to give the Kastles a 12-11 lead after three sets with a clutch 5-4 win over Kendrick and Witten in men's doubles.

It was a tough Kastles singles debut for Haynes, who fell 5-1 to Spears after winning the first game, giving the Sportimes a 16-13 lead heading into the final set.

But Reynolds knew that under WTT rules, the match was not over as long as he could win the final set. He did, fending off several match points and forcing overtime as both men let loose with big serves and thundering groundstrokes. In the end, the comeback was stopped but Reynolds showed that he is sure to be a Kastles fan favorite this season.

The Kastles hope to rebound quickly in their home opener Tuesday night, as they host the Philadelphia Freedoms at 7 p.m. at Kastles Stadium. The team will celebrate its 2009 WTT Championship with a special ceremony on court, and the first 1,000 fans will receive a free Kastles championship t-shirt.

Kastles Take On Freedoms in 2010 Home Opener Tonight

The Washington Kastles will celebrate their 2009 World TeamTennis title as they return to Washington for their home opener Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Freedoms.

In appreciation of the great support by fans, the Kastles will give out free championship t-shirts to the first 1,000 spectators. And to help celebrate last year's title, the team is inviting the winners of any local league or tournament to be honored during set breaks.

The Freedoms won a thrilling match in their season opener last night against the New York Buzz when young star Noppawan Lertcheewakarn defeated Martina Hingis 5-4 in the final set to tie the match and then won the Supertiebreaker 7-4 to seal the victory.

The match will feature the return of Leander Paes to Washington, fresh off his mixed doubles title at Wimbledon, playing doubles alongside Kastles' top draft pick Bobby Reynolds. Paes and Reynolds will face Prakash Amritraj, an NCAA champion and son of famed Indian touring pro Vijay Amritraj, with Ramon Delgado, the 2008 WTT Male MVP.

Fans will also see the home debut of Angela Haynes, the hard-hitting American from Irvine, Calif., going up against the Lertcheewakarn, a rising star and the 2009 Wimbledon girls champion.

Reynolds will take on Delgado in singles, while Haynes will partner with Rennae Stubbs, a semifinalist in mixed doubles at Wimbledon, against Lertcheewakarn and promising American Courtney Nagle.

Paes and Stubbs hope to resume their dominant mixed doubles form from last season against Delgado and Nagle.

After the match, all fans are invited to an after party at George (3251 Prospect St. NW), a popular night spot in the heart of Georgetown, where they can meet and mingle with the Kastles coach, players and 2010 cheerleading squad. The Kastles will also have a special cocktail, the Kastles Crush, available for $5 at all specialty drink stands on the south concourse inside Kastles Stadium.

It's going to be a great night in Washington as the Kastles continue their quest for back-to-back WTT Championships.

Tickets are available, but going quickly. Individual tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster. For group seats, season tickets and to inquire about the last few VIP Club Seats and Premier Courtside Boxes, call 202-4-TENNIS (483-6647).

World TeamTennis Celebrates its 35th Season

Many sports leagues come and go, but World TeamTennis this year is celebrating its 35th season of showcasing great competition featuring many of the top stars in the game of tennis.

Since tennis legend Billie Jean King helped found the league in 1974, World TeamTennis has allowed men and women to compete on equal footing while showcasing the highest quality tennis in a fun, family-friendly environment.

The list of players who have participated in World TeamTennis over the years reads like a Hall of Fame. Current Kastles Serena and Venus Williams. Jimmy Connors. Martina Navratilova. Bjorn Borg. John McEnroe. Pete Sampras. Steffi Graf. Andre Agassi.

But the league has also been a great way for talented young players to gain match experience and exposure.

In addition, the league is as much known for its influence on the game as its ability to show off great tennis talent. The WTT introduced instant replay for line calls, and the system was eventually adopted on tour. The league also allows for on-court coaching, a concept once thought of as taboo until it was permitted at many WTA tournaments this year.

The ability of the WTT to present men and women competing together also ushered in a new era of equality in professional tennis, in which the prize money at Grand Slams is now the same for women as it is for men.

To commemorate its 35th season, the league has published a list of the top 35 most impactful players in WTT history. Billie Jean King, of course, tops the list. But the Washington Kastles are pleased to say that team members Venus and Serena Williams and Coach Murphy Jensen also made the list, along with John McEnroe, Martinia Hingis and Anna Kournikova, who will appear in Washington as visiting players this season.

The Kastles are proud to be a part of the WTT's great tradition, and hope that you will join in celebrating the league's longevity and impact on the game.

Special FourSquare Promotion for Kastles Fans

The Kastles have teamed with FourSquare, one of the hottest new social networking sites, to provide great extra benefits to selected fans this season.

Beginning with the Kastles' home opener on July 6, any fan that "checks in" at FourSquare during a match could be selected at random to receive a free piece of Kastles merchandise.

At the end of the season, the designated "mayor" of Kastles Stadium will receive a special piece of Kastles memorabilia.

FourSquare offers new ways for sports teams and businesses to engage their customers in exciting ways using their mobile phones. By "checking in" at FourSquare, fans can collect points, badges and even be named "mayor" by demonstrating their loyalty.

Kastles fans are already some of the best in Washington, so be sure to show your enthusiasm by checking in at FourSquare at every match of the 2010 season!



World TeamTennis Stories from July 6, 2010


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