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WTT Washington Kastles

Nick Kyrgios, Treat Huey Highlight Second Week of Matches

August 7, 2016 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


The Kastles will return home from their west coast swing to kick off another exciting week of matches at Kastles Stadium. With new players Stephane Robert and Treat Huey, every member of the Kastles team is ranked in the world's top 60 and will look to get the Kastles rolling as they play several matches that will be crucial in determining which teams make the WTT Final.

New addition world no. 28 Andreja Klepac will join world no. 50 Brengle, as she looks to lead the Kastles in doubles and mixed doubles. Klepac and Brengle will receive help in a big way when world no. 19 Treat Huey returns to the Kastles for the first time since 2012, when he went 6-2 filling in for Leander Paes. A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Huey is having a huge year, as he made the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and the semifinals of Wimbledon losing to the eventual champions and no. 1 team in the world in a close five setter. He and Klepac are mixed doubles partners on tour and have had great success this year reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open in January and the quarters of Wimbledon just last month. To round out the roster, Frenchman and world no. 58 Stephane Robert will make his Kastles debut, and will certainly entertain Kastles Stadium with his big serve and savvy volleys on Monday August 8.

The New York Empire then announced today that Marcus Willis will fill in for Guido Pella who is in Rio for the Olympics. The British Willis was a global sports sensation in July as he won six qualifying matches and a first round main draw match before losing to Roger Federer on Center Court. It was a heartwarming and inspirational story that captivated the sports world this summer.

To close out the regular season, Kastles fans are in for a treat on Saturday, as the dazzling young Aussie Nick Kyrgios takes DC by storm when he leads the Kastles against Orange County on Saturday August 13. The world no. 18 has entertained crowds all over the world with his big groundstrokes, fiery personality, and amazing shot-making ability.

Monday, August 8 at 7 p.m. vs. NY Empire

KASTLES: Madison Brengle, Andrjea Klepac, Stephane Robert, Treat Huey

TICKETS: $12-$120 on Ticketmaster

GIVEAWAY: Special Kastles t-shirt courtesy of TTR Sotheby's International Realty

PREVIEW: The Empire travel to DC for their third matchup with the Kastles. The first 1000 fans in attendance will receive a free Kastles t-shirt courtesy of TTR Sotheby's International Realty. Kastles fans will get to see Wimbledon sensation Marcus Willis play for the Empire and will also see Madison Brengle once again battle familiar foe Christina McHale, as McHale looks to snap Brengle's 2-match winning streak against her. Alexandria native Treat Huey and Frenchman Stephane Robert will make their debuts, as they will have an intense battle in men's doubles against the Empire's Neil Skupski and Noah Rubin.

Wednesday, August 10 at 7 p.m. vs. San Diego Aviators

KASTLES: Treat Huey, Madison Brengle, Andrjea Kelpac

TICKETS: $ 12-$120 on Ticketmaster

GIVEAWAY: 2015 champions hat courtesy of GW Hospital

PREVIEW: In what could be the match of the year in WTT, San Diego comes to DC with a loaded lineup that includes rising stars Ryan Harrison and Shelby Rogers, in addition to doubles stars Raven Klaasen and Darija Jurak. San Diego beat the Kastles last year in DC, and last night in San Diego, and will come hoping to get a similar result. Breakout Kastles star Madison Brengle, who has risen to become one of the top players in WTT will take on Shelby Rogers in women's singles. The match between Brengle and Rogers could be one of the best matchups the league will see all year. Brengle beat Rogers last night 5-1 in San Diego, so Rogers will be looking for revenge in the rematch. Each Kastles fan also receives a free 2015 Kastles championship hat courtesy of GW Hospital.

Saturday, August 13 at 5 p.m. vs. Orange County Breakers

KASTLES: Nick Krygios, Treat Huey, Madison Brengle, Andrjea Kelpac

TICKETS: Ticketmaster

PROMOTION: USTA Family Day, All USTA members receive a discount on general admission tickets

PREVIEW:The dazzling Nick Kyrgios makes his highly anticipated debut for the Kastles, as the Orange County Breakers make their first trip to DC. The player whom experts call the "future of the ATP Tour" will team up with Brengle and Klepac as they look to lead the Kastles in what could be a win-or-go-home match for both teams. Two-time NCAA champion Nicole Gibbs leads the Breakers in her debut season. Fellow NCAA champion and US Open Doubles semifinalist Scott Lipsky will team with Gibbs as they take on the Kastles. This should be a grudge match, as the Kastles will be looking for revenge for their defeat in Orange County on Friday night. With Kyrgios in the house, it will certainly be a night of tennis in DC that people will be talking about for years to come.

The Kastles will also travel to New York on Tuesday night to take on the New York Empire, whose lineup will include US Open Champion and former world no. 1 Andy Roddick. You can catch that match streaming live on WashingtonKastles.com or the WatchESPN App at 7 p.m. EST.

Stephane Robert Joins Kastles

World No. 58 and German Open Semifinalist 3 weeks ago Comes to DC

Will Play August 8, 9 and other matches second week

The Washington Kastles are excited to announce that Frenchman Stephane Robert will be joining the Kastles August 8-9. Robert replaces Sam Groth who was scheduled to play this week for the Kastles but was called on Tuesday to represent Australia in the Rio Olympics. Robert will headline the home match on August 8 against the New York Empire, and the away match on August 9 and then likely play the rest or more of the matches for this last week of the season.

So far in 2016, Robert has been playing some of the best tennis of his life with a current career high ranking of number 58 in the world. He reached the third round of the Australian Open in January beating Bjorn Fratengelo, Kastles sub over the weekend, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 and then former Kastles sub Rajeev Ram before losing an entertaining match against Gael Monfils. Stephane also reached the semifinals of the German Open just a few weeks ago and beat world #20 Kevin Anderson in the first round of the French Open in four sets. Earlier this year, he won the Delhi Open and reached the finals in Prague and Guadalajara.

In his career, Robert has made the second round of every Grand Slam, including a fourth round appearance at the 2014 Australian Open. He and partner Jesse Galung won the doubles title in Barcelona in 2014, defeating doubles legend Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic in the final 6-3, 6-3. He has won 6 ATP Challenger Titles, and reached the final of the SA Open in South Africa in 2010.

Robert made headlines around the world in 2011, when as a qualifier at the French Open he beat world no. 6 Tomas Berdych in a thrilling first round match, that ended 11-9 in the final set.

Be sure to get your tickets for August 8 vs. the New York Empire to watch Robert make his Kastles debut! Tickets are still available but are going fast! Visit ticketmaster.com to get yours today!

Wimbledon Darling Marcus Willis Comes to DC When New York Takes on the Kastles

Center Court Match Against Roger Federer and Life Story Captivated Sports World

Brits Inspiration and Improbable Wimbledon Run Was One of the Sports Stories of the Summer

One of the great sports and tennis stories in recent years, Marcus Willis comes to DC as a member of the New York Empire tomorrow night just a month after an incredible run at Wimbledon. After getting the last sport in the local pre-qualifying event due to another players injury, he won three matches to get into the main qualifying tournament where he won three more to get into the Wimbledon main draw.

In the first round, Willis received international acclaim and became a national hero when he defeated world no. 54 Ricardas Berankis 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to set up a match with the legendary Roger Federer in the second round. Though he lost to the 17-time Grand Slam champion the next day on Center Court, Willis became a global media sensation with his improbable story.

Ranked no. 772 in the world, Willis was devoting much of his time to teaching tennis at a local club in England. He was about to quit pro tennis and move to Philadelphia when he met Jenny Bates at a party in February who convinced him not to give up on his dreams. She became his girlfriend and, in July, became his fiancé and the rest is history. Before Wimbledon, he had won exactly $200 dollars in prize money but left the tournament with $70,000.

Marcus Willis will join the Empire as a sub, as he teams up Christina McHale, Maria Irigoyen, and Neil Skupski. Be sure to come watch the Kastles take on the Empire and their new star tomorrow!

Check out highlights from Marcus Willis' amazing run to the second round at Wimbledon last month.

Chairback Seats Get You IN the Game

Get on top of the Action and One of the Best Values in Tennis

Extremely Popular Seats are Limited at 300 and Sell Out- Don't Wait to Get Yours

Fans in the Chairback section rise to their feet to celebrated Championship point in 2015. Photo: Rich Kessler

You can see the incredible speed and spin of the ball, hear the players talking, and listen to Coach Murphy Jensen give advice during a timeout. Chairback seats are the perfect view for you to cheer on your Kastles. Right along the sideline, the chairback seats are situated just feet away from the court where you can see all the action of your Kastles up close!

With only 320 Chairback seats and priced at just $50, they always sell out fast. Don't wait to get yours today at ticketmaster.com.

Injury and Olympic Depleted Kastles Fight Hard but Fall to Loaded San Diego Aviators 21-15

Ernest Gulbis Makes Strong WTT Debut for Aviators

Madison Brengle Defeats Shelby Rogers in Matchup of Best Two WTT Singles Players

The Kastles fought hard in San Diego, but ultimately fell 21-15 to the Aviators. The team improved from their outing the night before, when they lost 25-10 in Orange County but it wasn't enough. Madison Brengle was one of the Kastles bright spots, as she continued her league-leading singles play and dominated Shelby Rogers 5-1 in women's singles.

Bjorn Fratangelo opened up the match in men's singles, as he faced a huge challenge in former world no. 10 and French Open semifinalist Ernest Gulbis. After serving to hold for 1-0, Gulbis broke Fratangelo on a crazy point when Gulbis cut a difficult volley to the side of the court, causing Fratangelo to just miss the running forehand. Fratangelo continued to battle, but could not overcome four aces from Gulbis as he lost the set 5-2.

Madison Brengle was once again called upon to dig the Kastles out of a hole, and the best singles player in WTT once again delivered. Facing rising star and fellow American Shelby Rogers, Brengle did what she does best, using her consistent groundstrokes to wear out Rogers. Down 1-3 in the second game, Brengle came back to break Rogers on a point where she hit a spectacular crosscourt backhand that Rogers pushed into the net. Brengle came up huge on the critical 3 all deciding game points, winning all three of them in the set. The 5-1 victory in the set gave the Kastles the lead over the Aviators 7-6.

The win moves Brengle further into first place in WTT women's singles rankings, as she improved her game record to 25-13.

Men's Doubles saw Bjorn Fratangelo team up with Ken Skupski to take on the tough team of Raven Klaasen and Ernest Gulbis. While Gulbis' booming serve helped him reach the top ten in singles, Klaasen has been a doubles stalwart, reaching the Australian Open final and a ranking of no. 9. The new Kastles duo fought hard, but in only their second match as a team, their lack of experience as teammates showed against Gulbis and Klaasen. After breaking Skupski in the first game, the Aviators duo held the rest of the way to win 5-2.

After regaining the lead 11-9, the Aviators sent out Darija Jurak and Shelby Rogers to take on Madison Brengle and Andreja Klepac in women's doubles. Jurak has had a very successful year on tour with Kastle Anastasia Rodionova, as they have made two WTA Doubles Finals this year. Klepac and Brengle forced multiple break points that they couldn't convert, including with Jurak serving at 1-2 when the chair umpire overruled the linesperson and called a Klepac forehand deep on the baseline. The call was a real turning point in the match and the Kastles players on the court and on the bench complained vociferously about the call but to no avail. The next game, Brengle was broken when a long rally ended with Jurak making a clutch volley at the net. The Aviators would win the set 5-3 and take a 16-12 lead going into the final set.

In the final set of mixed doubles, the new Kastles team of Klepac and Skupski teamed up faced the third-ranked team of Jurak and Klaasen that has played together all season. Klepac and Skupski showed a grit but couldn't find the strong chemistry in only their second match together. Both Skupski and Klepac faced break points in their first service games, but fought back to stay on serve. The Kastles duo found it difficult to make an impact in their opponents' service games, as both Klaasen and Jurak were extremely active at net and their experience playing together was evident. Klepac was broken in the last game on a tough volley by Jurak, as San Diego won the set 5-3 and the match 21-15.

Though the result wasn't what they wanted, the injury and Olympic depleted Kastles showed a major improvement from the night before and pushed the most talented WTT team in a close match. With the season continuing Monday night, the team will have much higher ranked male players in Treat Huey and Stephane Robert and the benefit of a mixed doubles team in Klepac and Huey that have played together with great success on tour.

Kastles Olympic Results

M. Hingis/ T. Bacsinsky (SUI) def. S. Stosor/ D. Gavrilova (AUS) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

E. Makarova/ E. Vesnina (RUS) def. A. Rodionova/A. Rodionova (AUS) 6-1, 6-2

Anastasia Rodionova with her sister Arina as they compete for Team Australia. Photo_ Anastasia Riodionova

Martina Hingis and Anastasia Rodionova pose outside the Olympic Village in Rio. Photo: Anastasia Rodionova

L. Kubot/ M. Matkowski (POL) def. L. Paes/R. Bopanna (IND) 6-4, 7-6

WTT Standings

Team MP W L PCT

OC 6 4 2 .667

PHIL 6 4 2 .667

SD 6 4 2 .667

WSH 6 3 3 .500

SPR 6 2 4 .333

NY 6 1 5 .167

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