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 Anderson &
Michaëlla 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.
Click here for last night's box score.
 |
| Plenty to smile about |
