Tuesday, August 2, 2016

WTT: Washington Kastles 22 Springfield Lasers 16

Madison Brengle swept past Pauline Parmentier 5-0

Another year, another championship banner. The Washington Kastles defeated the Springfield Lasers 22-16 last night in their home opener before an adoring crowd at Kastles Stadium. With the Rio Summer Olympics (and subsequent exodus of Kastles talent) looming, the five-time defending WTT champs unveiled their 2015 banner, before improving to 2-0 in 2016 with a come-from-behind victory.

Denis Kudla fell in Men's Singles to the Lasers' Benjamin Becker 5-3, to put the home team in an early bind; but Madison Brengle turned the tables with a 5-0 sweep of Pauline Parmentier in Women's Singles to give Washington an 8-5 lead after two sets.

Kastles owner Mark Ein addresses the fans

Team Captain Leander Paes and Mixed Doubles partner Martina Hingis increased that lead to 13-7 with a 5-2 win over Jean AndersonMichaĆ«lla Krajicek. Springfield cut that margin to 17-12 with a thrilling 5-4 victory in Women's Doubles (over Hingis & Anastasia Rodionova) before the Bryan Brothers (in their Kastles debut) closed the door with a 5-4 Men's Doubles triumph over Anderson & Becker in the fifth and final set.

Make room for another banner

Washington hosts the new New York Empire (coached by Patrick McEnroe) tonight at 7. Tickets are still available: Click here to purchase online, or visit the box office later today.

The Bryan brothers made their Kastles debut

Click here for last night's box score.

Denis Kudla fell in Men's Singles

Bob Bryan

Head Coach Murphy Jensen celebrates

Plenty to smile about