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WTT Washington Kastles

Kastles Open Season Tonight in New York; Kastles Week in DC Starts

July 31, 2016 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


The Kastles open the season tonight on the road against the New York Empire. The match will be live-streamed on ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app. You can also follow along on the Kastles official Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts for up-to-the-minute results and content.

The Kastles will be facing a New York squad looking to make a statement in their first match as a franchise. Beating the five-time defending champion Kastles in their opening match would go a long way in establishing themselves as a presence in the league. The Kastles, however, are once again bringing a talented lineup that will be a tough challenge for the young New York squad.

Leander Paes will once captain the Kastles, as the talented veteran will be leading the doubles charge. Paes is coming off a title win in Italy just yesterday. Alongside Peas will be Anastasia Rodionova . Having made two WTA doubles finals in the past month, Rodionova has been a force to be reckoned with on the tour and is coming into the WTT season playing her best tennis. She and Paes give the Kastles a strong advantage in doubles.

Madison Brengle will lead the way in singles, as she looks to improve upon her 6-4 record from last year. The breakout star of the Kastles 2015 season, Brengle will now bring experience to the table in addition to her relentless consistency.

The Kastles will also bring their newest roster addition, Olympian Denis Kudla, as he steps in for an injured Sam Querrey. Kudla went an impressive 9-3 last year in the Kastles first six matches. He pulled out several clutch wins, including a 5-4 winner-take-all victory over Philadelphia.

For the Empire, young formidable star Christina McHale who has been ranked as high as no. 24 will lead the brand new team, alongside doubles specialists Neil Skupski and Maria Irigoyen. World no. 50 Guido Pella will also be on the roster, before he represents Argentina in the Summer Games in Rio.

Set-By-Set Projections

MS-D. Kudla (WSH) vs. G. Pella (NY)

While Kulda and Pella have never faced each other on tour, the hard courts will definitely be an advantage for Kudla, as Pella's preferred surface is clay where he can use his defense to frustrate harder-hitting players. Kudla will look to use his big forehand and serve to apply pressure on Pella, whose defense will be rendered difficult on the fast courts.

WS-M. Brengle (WSH) vs. C. McHale (NY)

Brengle and McHale have only faced each other once on tour, and that was in 2010 when Brengle had to retire in the second set due to injury. This is an interesting matchup, as both players use their consistency to frustrate higher seeded players, as McHale proved when she pushed Serena Williams to three sets at Wimbledon. Though Madison has an advantage in WTT experience, as she is playing her second straight WTT season and McHale is playing her first since bing a sub in Kansas City in 2011. The no-ad scoring and 5-game set format of WTT can be a tough adjustment for players coming directly from the tour. This could be the key to match and should be a battle.

MXD-L. Paes/A. Rodionova (WSH) vs. N. Skupski/M. Irigoyen (NY)

Rodionova and Paes went 3-4 last year as a doubles team, but closed out their partnership on a roll as they won their last two matches. Though the Empire will be a tough matchup for the duo, as Skupski was 2015's WTT Rookie of the Year and Irigoyen has made multiple WTA doubles finals in her career. Rodionova and Paes will look to use their experience playing together as an advantage over Skupski and Irigoyen, who are playing their first match as partners.

MD-L.Paes/D. Kudla (WSH) vs. N. Skupski/G. Pella (NY)

Paes and Kudla went 4-1 last year as a doubles team. They dropped a total of ten games in 5 matches, winning their last 3 by scores of 5-0, 5-2, and 5-3. The duo will look to apply pressure on Pella, who has less experience in doubles as Skupski does. Skupski was able to get the best of Paes last year however, when he and Tennys Sandgren beat Paes and Sam Querrey in San Diego 5-4.

WD-M.Brengle/A. Rodionova (WSH) vs. C.McHale/M. Irigoyen (NY)

Brengle and Rodionova went 5-3 as a doubles team last year. After losing three of their first four sets, the duo posted wins in their last four matches. Rodionova has also been playing some of the best tennis of her career the past few months, having made two WTA finals. The duo will have a definite advantage over McHale and Irigoyen, who have never played together before.

Exciting Week Coming Up at Kastles Stadium

Don't Miss Bryan Brothers, Hingis, Paes, and Fish as Kastles Return to DC

Thrilling Home Matches on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

Grand Slam Champs, Great Giveaways Highlight Opening Week

The Kastles have an exciting opening week in store for the best fans in Mylan WTT. From the Bryan Brothers, to some awesome giveaways, you won't want to miss a moment of this unprecedented opening week.

You don't want to miss the 16-time Grand Slam Champion Bryan Brothers debut as Washington Kastles on Monday night!

Photo: CameraworksUSA

Monday, August 1 at 7 p.m. vs. Springfield Lasers

KASTLES: Bryan Brothers, Martina Hingis, Leander Paes, Madison Brengle, Anastasia Rodionova

TICKETS: $20-$150 on Ticketmaster, Very limited seats remain

GIVEAWAY: Red, White, or Blue Kastles 2015 Championship Shirt courtesy of Geico (All Fans)

PREVIEW: All fans will receive a 2015 Kastles Championship t-shirt when the Bryan Brothers make their Kastles debut and kick off DC's 2016 campaign against the Springfield Lasers. The legendary Kastles duo of Martina Hingis and Leander Paes will join the Bryans, alongside Madison Brengle and Anastasia Rodionova. Springfield Coach John Laffnie de Jager will be out for revenge as three of the Kastles six championships came over his team. You won't want to miss this historic night as the Kastles field one of the most loaded WTT lineups of all time, as four players who've won a Carer Grand Slam Champions suit up for DC.

Tuesday, August 2 at 7 p.m. vs. New York Empire

KASTLES: Martina Hingis, Leander Paes, Mardy Fish, Madison Brengle, Anastasia Rodionova

TICKETS: $12-$120 on Ticketmaster

PREVIEW: Martina Hingis and Leander Paes will again bring their legendary mixed doubles magic to Kastles Stadium as the Kastles take on the New York Empire. The veteran Kastles duo, who completed the Career Grand Slam in mixed doubles at the French Open this year, will leave for Rio and the Olympics the next day so you don't want to miss your one chance to watch them together this season. Mardy Fish, who reached no. 7 in the world will be joined by Anastasia Rodionova, who has reached two WTA Doubles finals in the past month. Madison Brengle will round out the Kastles lineup. The Empire will feature young American rising star Christina McHale and coaching legend Patrick McEnroe on the bench. McHale has a career high ranking of no. 24 in the world, and consistently is a problem for the top players on tour, as she proved last month when she almost toppled Serena Williams at Wimbledon.

Wednesday, August 3 at 7 p.m. vs. Philadelphia Freedoms

KASTLES: Mardy Fish, Anastasia Rodionova, Madison Brengle

TICKETS: $12-$120 on Ticketmaster Military Night

GIVEAWAY: Refuse to Lose camouflage hat courtesy of JP Morgan Chase & Co. (first 1000 fans)

PREVIEW: Mardy Fish will lead the Kastles against the rival Philadelphia Freedoms. The Kastles have made a habit out of beating Philadelphia, as they own a 16-6 record against them since their first season in 2008. The Kastles are also a perfect 2-0 when facing Philadelphia in playoff matches. After yet another defeat at the hands of the Kastles (a 21-9 drubbing in last years Eastern Conference Final), Philadelphia again reloaded looking to dethrone the champions. Lukas Lacko and young American Samantha Crawford will headline the Freedoms. Anastasia Rodionova will look to improve upon her 3-1 record against Philadelphia from last year.

Kastles in the News

Kastles Again in National Spotlight As Season Gets Closer

With the season now just a day away, the Kastles have once again begun to dominate local and national media outlets. Forbes and the Washington Post are just a few of the major media outlets that have reported on the Kastles reloaded 2016 roster. Be sure to follow the Kastles social media as more national news stories get posted! Click the icons below to read the full articles!

Forbes' Kurt Badenhausen profiled the Kastles amazing 72-10 record over the past 5 years, comparing them to the Golden State Warriors. Badenhausen goes in-depth about the Kastles record breaking success, and how they've created such a huge following in the DC area and around the world.

The Washington Post profiled home town hero Denis Kudla, as he prepares to not only return to the Kastles for a second straight year, but also make his Olympic debut in Rio at the Olympic Games. Kudla was a big part of the Kastles success last year, as he went 9-3 in six matches with the team.

Be sure to be tuning in all next week, as Comcast Sports Net, Fox 5 News, and CBS News are just some of the popular news outlets that have all have scheduled interviews and events with the Kastles!

Monday, August 1

Fox 5 News will interview Leander Paes and Head Coach Murphy Jensen just hours before the season kicks off!

NBC 4 will interview owner Mark Ein as he discusses how the Kastles have become a dynasty with reporter Barbara Harrison.

Tuesday, August 2

The Sports Junkies on FM 106.7 will talk with new Kastle Mardy Fish about his career and his first season with the Kastles.

Bring Your Friends to See the Kastles

Group Discounts, Jumbotron Recognition and Player Meet-and-Greets Available Based on Size

The Washington Kastles make it fun and easy for you to bring all your friends to Kastles Stadium to cheer on the six-time World TeamTennis Champions! The larger the group you bring, the bigger the discount. Group discounts start at 10% off for ten tickets and increase for larger group sizes. If you bring a big enough group, you can also arrange a pre-match meet-and-greet with a player and get your name on the jumbotron during the match! This makes Kastles the perfect place to bring your friends, company, business clients or prospects, members of your local tennis club or your own league tennis team!

We can accommodate groups at any of our six sensational summer home nights but some sections are close to selling out so act now. It's a night of group fun you will never forget. For more information on group ticket sales call 202-4-Tennis or email scott@washingtonkastles.com.

Bryan Brothers Pull Out of Rio Olympics

Citing health and family concerns, the doubles duo of Bob and Mike Bryan announced on Friday that they have decided to pull out of the 2016 Summer games in Rio Di Janeiro. The Bryans will still make their DC debut on Monday night at 7 p.m. at Kastles Stadium.

The most decorated doubles team of all time with 16 Grand Slam Titles, the Bryans will not get the chance to defend the gold medal they won in 2012 in London.

"After countless hours of deliberation, Mike and I have decided to forgo the Rio Olympics," Bob Bryan told the Washington Post in a statement. "Though we'd love to compete again, as husbands and fathers, our family's health is now our main priority."

The brothers join a long list of athletes who have decided to skip the games due to health or safety concerns.

"Representing Team USA is one of our proudest tennis moments to date and winning gold in 2012 will remain the pinnacle of our careers," Bob Bryan told the Washington Post. "We wish every athlete luck in their quest for Olympic glory and hope the Rio Games are a positive experience for everyone involved.

The Bryans were considered the best chance that Team USA had to medal at the Olympics in men's tennis, especially after top Americans John Isner and Sam Querrey opted out of the games.

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