WTT Washington Kastles

Kastles vs. Philadelphia Freedoms Preview; Washington Wins Road Thriller over Philly

Published on July 18, 2015 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


Leander Paes congratulates Denis Kudla as Coach Murphy Looks On
Leander Paes congratulates Denis Kudla as Coach Murphy Looks On
(Washington Kastles, Credit: Daniel Roberts Photography)

Forget about Washington's two home losses earlier this week, Kastles fans.

Your five-time Mylan World TeamTennis Champions are currently competing in the most important stretch of the 2015 regular season.

With three straight matches against the Philadelphia Freedoms and two in a row against the Boston Lobsters, the Kastles have an opportunity to pull away from the competition in the Eastern Conference.

Last night in Philadelphia, the Kastles started the stretch strongly, beating the Freedoms 21-20 in thrilling fashion. Arlington native Denis Kudla defeated Robby Ginepri 5-4 in a winner-take-all final set to clinch the Kastles' third road win of 2015.

Tonight is your last chance this season to see the Kastles' hometown hero Kudla and his fellow American Madison Brengle. Secure your seats starting at only $12 by visiting Ticketmaster.com or the Smith Center box office.

Coming to Kastles Stadium next week are Serena Williams, Sam Querrey and double Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis. Serena's match is sold out, so don't miss your chance to see Querrey and Hingis July 26 and 27. Get your tickets today via Ticketmaster or the Smith Center box office.

SET-BY-SET PROJECTIONS

MS - D. Kudla (WAS) vs. R. Ginepri (PHL)

Kudla's first five matches as a Kastle haven't been perfect. He lost his debut to Alex Kuznetsov 5-0 and was beaten 5-3 by 17-year-old Taylor Fritz. But when his team needs him to come through in the clutch, Kudla has done just that against world-class competition. He won tiebreakers against 52nd-ranked Teymuraz Gabashvili, Michael Russell and Ginepri, leading the Kastles to dramatic victory in Philadelphia last night.

WS - M. Brengle (WAS) vs. T. Townsend (PHL)

Brengle and Taylor Townsend had never played prior to last night's Mylan WTT match in Philadelphia. Their set featured five service breaks in eight games, with Brengle emerging victorious 5-3. Expect to see a stark contrast in styles during tonight's rematch: Townsend looking to attack the net and end the point, while Brengle bashes balls from the baseline. The 25-year-old Kastle will be eager to win her last singles set of the season.

MD - D. Kudla/L. Paes (WAS) vs. R. Ginepri/M. Melo (PHL)

Former World No. 1 Leander Paes and current World No. 3 Marcelo Melo know each other extremely well. They have played in men's doubles nine times on tour and six times in Mylan WTT. All together, Melo has eight wins to Paes' seven in their head-to-head meetings. Tonight, Paes has a chance to even the score with the 6-foot-8 Brazilian, who earlier this year won his first Grand Slam men's doubles title at the French Open.

WD - M. Brengle/A. Rodionova (WAS) vs. A. Muhammad/T. Townsend (PHL)

Last night in Philadelphia, Brengle and Anastasia Rodionova could have run away with their women's doubles set. But they went 0-for-6 on break points and 0-for-3 on deciding points, losing 5-4(0) to Townsend and Asia Muhammad. Overall, the duo looked as if it is improving, with strong baseline play from both players and Rodionova's veteran leadership. A win in women's doubles would be a big step towards the Kastles' first home victory.

MXD - L. Paes/A. Rodionova (WAS) vs. M. Melo/T. Townsend (PHL)

When Paes and Rodionova came together in 2012, they went 7-1 as Washington's primary mixed doubles team. Martina Hingis joined the Kastles a year later and took over as Paes' other half. They've gone on to two Grand Slam titles. Paes and Rodionova, however, have teamed much less frequently and are 2-5 over the last three seasons. Coach Murphy Jensen needs a strong showing from his mixed doubles team tonight.

Hometown Hero Kudla Leads Kastles to One-Game Win

Washington Beats Philadelphia in Winner-Take-All 5th Set Tiebreaker

The Washington Kastles improved to 3-0 on the road Friday, dramatically defeating the Philadelphia Freedoms 21-20 in a rematch of the 2014 Eastern Conference Championship.

For the second straight night, the Kastles struggled to win the key points. They went 1-for-11 on deciding points and 5-for-20 on break points overall, including 0-for-10 on break points during the final two sets of women's doubles and men's singles.

Statistics like that would usually be too much to overcome, but the Kastles did just enough to pull out a victory and leave the Philadelphia crowd heartbroken.

After four sets of high-quality tennis, the teams saved their best for last.

Tied at 16-16 entering the final set, the Kastles turned to D.C.'s own Denis Kudla in a winner-take-all scenario against former US Open semifinalist Robby Ginepri. Kudla, playing singles in the fifth set for the first time, excelled in the face of pressure.

The 22-year-old from Arlington won 20 of 25 service points and did not give Ginepri a single chance to break. After eight straight service holds, Kudla trailed 2-3 in a tiebreaker before reeling off three straight points to defeat his countryman 5-4(3) and close out a conference win for Washington.

The Kastles and their rivals, the Freedoms, meet again today at 5 pm at Kastles Stadium. Great seats are still available from $12 at Ticketmaster.com.

Washington Kastles def. Philadelphia Freedoms 21-20

Mixed Doubles - Taylor TownsendMarcelo Melo (Freedoms) def. Anastasia RodionovaLeander Paes (Kastles) 5-2

Women's Singles - Madison Brengle (Kastles) def. Taylor Townsend (Freedoms) 5-3

Men's Doubles - Denis KudlaLeander Paes (Kastles) def. Robby GinepriMarcelo Melo (Freedoms) 5-3

Women's Doubles - Asia MuhammadTaylor Townsend (Freedoms) def. Madison BrengleAnastasia Rodionova (Kastles) 5-4

Men's Singles - Denis Kudla (Kastles) def. Robby Ginepri (Freedoms) 5-4

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Images from this story

Denis Kudla of the Washington Kastles
Denis Kudla of the Washington Kastles
(Willis Bretz)		 Madison Brengle of the Washington Kastles
Madison Brengle of the Washington Kastles
(Willis Bretz)		 Leander Paes congratulates Denis Kudla as Coach Murphy Looks On
Leander Paes congratulates Denis Kudla as Coach Murphy Looks On
(Daniel Roberts Photography)



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