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WTT Washington Kastles

"Rumble in the Capital II" with John McEnroe Tonight

July 20, 2010 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


Washington Kastles fans should expect an electric atmosphere in downtown D.C. tonight, as the team takes on the rival New York Sportimes in a crucial match with massive playoff implications.

The Sportimes (8-4) will bring tennis legend John McEnroe to Kastles Stadium, knowing that a win could give New York the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Kastles (6-5) meanwhile, are still holding out hope for the top seed and a home playoff match this Friday and must beat the Sportimes for that to happen.

The Kastles are seeking revenge for two earlier season losses to the Sportimes this year, while the Sportimes are looking to erase the memory of a loss to the Kastles in the Eastern Conference Championship last season. That was the last time the Sportimes played in Kastles Stadium.

Tonight's match is also a reprise of the "Rumble in the Capital" from last season, when the two teams met at Kastles Stadium and tempers erupted between McEnroe, the Sportimes' Robert Kendrick and the Kastles' Leander Paes and Rennae Stubbs. WTT officials fined each team for their verbal sparring during the highly charged match and the incident was featured on ESPN as the play of the week. You can relive that moment by clicking here.

McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, will pose a tough test for the Kastles. After three matches, his record this season has been less than stellar, as he holds the lowest winning percentage of any player in singles and has a losing record in doubles.

The Kastles' Bobby Reynolds will continue his personal quest for the best overall singles record in WTT, while Paes also has a shot at the top doubles ranking.

Tonight's match will also be a shot at redemption for the newly acquired Victoria Azarenka. The WTA star, once ranked 6th in the world, lost two of three sets in her Kastles debut against the Lobsters on Sunday and now must face Abigail Spears, holder of the second-best singles record of any woman in WTT.

The atmosphere at Kastles Stadium can't get any more exciting! A small number of tickets remain, but are going fast. Contact Ticketmaster online or by calling 202-397-7328.

Anna Kournikova and the St. Louis Aces in Town for Kastles 2010 Home Finale

The Washington Kastles will continue their playoff push Wednesday night against the St. Louis Aces, when Anna Kournikova comes to town.

It will be a scorching hot atmosphere at Kastles Stadium as Kournikova takes on Victoria Azarenka in a battle of two tennis heartthrobs.

And there's plenty on the line for both teams, as the Kastles fight to remain alive for an Eastern Conference playoff berth while the Aces are in a four-way battle for a berth out of the Western Conference.

A loss on Wednesday would eliminate any chance of the Kastles earning the Eastern Conference top seed and a home playoff match on Friday. And it would also set up a must-win match against the Boston Lobsters on Thursday night.

The Kastles' Bobby Reynolds and Leander Paes should have a strong edge in the men's events Wednesday, as the Aces rank last in WTT in men's singles and second-to-last in men's doubles. The last time these teams squared off in St. Louis on July 10, the Kastles won 23-16 with Venus Williams in the Kastles line-up.

This is the last regular season match in 2010 and will have a playoff atmosphere, so don't miss on out on your last chance to catch the Kastles in action this season. Tickets are going fast, so contact Ticketmaster online or call 202-397-7328.

Playoff Scenarios With Three Matches Left

The Washington Kastles' push for a berth into the World TeamTennis playoffs took another hit last night, as Boston Lobsters and New York Sportimes each won to tighten the Eastern Conference standings.

The Kastles (6-5) remain in control their own destiny for one of two playoff spots out of the Eastern Conference and could still host a playoff match at Kastles Stadium this Friday. But they now stand one-and-a-half matches behind the Sportimes (8-4) for the conference lead, while the Lobsters (6-6) are within a half-match of the Kastles for second place.

The Sportimes beat the New York Buzz last evening 22-17, while the Lobsters topped the St. Louis Aces, 25-13.

Tonight, the Kastles host the Sportimes to mark a third time the teams will face one another this year. The Sportimes beat the Kastles in two previous meetings and thus hold the tiebreaker if the teams finish the season with the same record.

The St. Louis Aces come to Washington on Wednesday night, and then the Kastles travel to Boston Thursday for a potential must-win match against the Lobsters.

To win the Eastern Conference, the Kastles must finish at 9-5 and have the Sportimes finish 8-6. For that to happen, the Kastles must win all three of their remaining matches--including tonight's match against the Sportimes--and also hope that the Sportimes lose to the Newport Beach Breakers in California on July 22.

The Kastles would earn second place in the conference and a playoff berth by winning all three remaining matches, or by winning one of the next two matches and then finishing the season with a win over the Lobsters. The Kastles could, in theory, lose to the Lobsters in the final match and still make the playoffs, provided they still finish a match ahead of the Lobsters in the standings. Such a scenario would require the Lobsters to lose to the Buzz in New York tonight.

With so much on the line, every point, every game, every set and every match matters as the Kastles fight to "Do It Again in 2010".



World TeamTennis Stories from July 20, 2010


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