Eastern Conference Champions... Again! |
From our friends at Mylan WTT...
Washington Kastles One Win Away from Record Fifth Straight Mylan WTT Title
Team Claims fifth consecutive Eastern Conference Championship with win over Philadelphia
The Washington Kastles will look to claim a record-breaking fifth consecutive Mylan World TeamTennis title after cruising to win their fifth Mylan WTT Eastern Conference Championship in a row Thursday evening 25-9 over the Philadelphia Freedoms in Washington, DC. The Kastles will host the winner of tonight’s Mylan WTT Western Conference Championship between the Austin Aces and California Dream on Sunday at 11:30 AM ET. The championship match is set to air live on ESPN3, with ESPN2 joining in progress at 1:00 PM ET.
In a rematch of the 2014 Eastern Conference Championship, the Kastles turned to 2015 Australian Open and Wimbledon mixed doubles champions Martina Hingis and Leander Paes to set the tone. The two didn’t disappoint, racing out to a 4-1 lead against Taylor Townsend and Marcelo Melo. With Melo serving on a crucial 3-all point, Hingis won a volley exchange to clinch the set.
Sam Querrey won Men's Singles and Doubles |
“Playing with Leander is always a thrill,” says Hingis. “We just know each other’s games so well and we click when we have to. We started off strong to help get the team going.”
Martina Hingis won Mixed and Women's Doubles |
The Kastles stayed hot over the next two sets. Madison Brengle stepped up in the important moments of women’s singles, saving three break points and winning both 3-all points to defeat CoCo Vandeweghe 5-2. Paes returned to the court for men’s doubles with Sam Querrey to face Melo and Robby Ginepri. Paes and Querrey secured another 5-2 set victory by winning 84 percent of their first serve points.
Madison Brengle won Women's Singles |
In the most competitive set of the evening, Hingis and Anastasia Rodionova topped Townsend and Vandeweghe 5-4, before Querrey slammed the door shut with a 5-0 dismissal of Ginepri.
“It’s so much fun to play in this setting here,” Querrey says. “For the most part, I’ve been playing in the last spot and my teammates have done a great job in giving me a big lead. It’s allowed me to play freely.”
Anastasia Rodionova won Women's Doubles |
The Kastles are aiming to become the first team in the 40-season history of Mylan WTT to win five straight King Trophies, having joined the 1997-2000 Sacramento Capitals with their 2014 triumph. The Kastles are also looking to equal the Capitals mark of six overall championships.
T-shirt toss with the Washington Kastles Cheerleaders |
The Kastles’ opponent will be determined tonight at the Mylan WTT Western Conference Championship match between the Austin Aces and the California Dream in Austin. The Western Conference match starts at 9:30 PM CDT and will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
Let's Go Kastles! |
Click here for last night's box score.
Kastles legend Bobby Reynolds with Mark Ein (r) |
Living legend Billie Jean King (r) |
Philadelphia's CoCo Vandeweghe |
Marcelo Melo |