YESTERDAY (July 16)
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOMS d. Springfield Lasers, 21-18
After coming from behind to defeat the San Diego Aviators in thrilling fashion on Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Freedoms continued their winning ways against the Springfield Lasers on Wednesday. The Freedoms moved to 4-4 on the season with a 21-18 win to keep pace with the conference-leading Washington Kastles, but it didn't come easily. After Michael Russell edged Frank Dancevic 5-4 to put the visitors in front, the Freedoms took both women's and men's doubles to forge ahead. After Olga Govortsova defeated Taylor Townsend in a reversal of a Supertiebreaker showdown from earlier this season, the Lasers found themselves trailing by just one, 16-15, heading into the deciding mixed doubles event. The Freedoms are the league's leading performers in mixed, and Liezel Huber and Marcelo Melo showed why with a 5-3 win over Raquel Kops-Jones and Ross Hutchins to clinch another Philadelphia victory.
San Diego Aviators d. BOSTON LOBSTERS, 20-15 (OT)
While the Lobsters have found themselves in Overtime a lot this season, they haven't been able to translate that momentum into many victories. That was the case again on Wednesday night, as the San Diego Aviators came to town and left with another OT victory at the Lobsters' expense. The two teams also played an Overtime set in San Diego on July 12. The Lobsters got off on the right foot as Rik de Voest defeated Somdev Devvarman 5-2 in men's singles, but they soon found themselves behind 12-10 at halftime. After the break, Daniela Hantuchova gave the visitors some breathing room by blanking Sharon Fichman in women's singles; however, Fichman shrugged it off and teamed with Eric Butorac to win the mixed doubles over Kveta Peschke and Raven Klaasen to force extra time. However, it wouldn't be enough as Peschke and Klaasen claimed four of the five points played to secure the one game required for victory. With the win, the Aviators now hold a one-game lead over the Texas Wild in the Western Conference standings.
WASHINGTON KASTLES d. Texas Wild, 23-18
After having their 18-match winning streak stopped at the hands of the San Diego Aviators on Monday night, the Washington Kastles got back on the winning track against another Western Conference team, the Texas Wild on Wednesday. To start the night's action, Bobby Reynolds fought back from 2-4 down against Mylan WTT rookie Tim Smyczek to win the opening set in a tiebreak before Martina Hingis and Venus Williams put on a masterclass to take down Anabel Medina Garrigues and Darija Jurak to push the Kastles' lead to 10-6. A gritty Wild team refused to give in, however, as Medina Garrigues and Aisam Qureshi handed Hingis and Leander Paes their first loss in a tiebreak to win their first set of the night. Medina Garrigues' play continued to be the story of the night when took the court for her third consecutive set. The Spaniard currently ranks second in the league in women's singles behind Hingis, and she was on point against Williams. After rallying from a break down twice to force a tiebreak and seeing two set points pass her by, she converted the critical 4-4 point to pull the Wild within two games with men's doubles to play. While the Wild were the league's leaders in men's doubles coming into the night, their hopes took a hit at Alex Bogomolov, Jr. was forced to sit out the match with an injury. Paes and Reynolds expertly took advantage of Smyczek's and Qureshi's inexperience together to clinch the set 5-2, and the match for the Kastles.
TODAY (July 17)
Live Stream of the Day – Washington Kastles @ Philadelphia Freedoms 7:00 PM EDT
In a match that has key implications in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Kastles will travel to The Pavillion at Villanova University to take on the Philadelphia Freedoms after hosting them twice earlier this season. Venus Williams will feature in the Kastles' lineup once again as they look to expand on their three-game lead over the Freedoms in the standings.
San Diego Aviators @ Springfield Lasers 8:00 PM EDT
The Western Conference-leading San Diego Aviators travel to last year's conference champions for the first time this season. Although Springfield sits in third place, they are just 2.5 games behind San Diego in the standings.
Austin Aces @ Texas Wild 8:30 PM EDT
The first of three matches between the two Texas-based teams takes place on Thursday, as the Aces see their first action since losing to the Boston Lobsters on Tuesday. The Aces sit just one game behind the Wild in the loss column, so these two Texas teams will be playing for more than pride and bragging rights. Without the services of Andy Roddick and Marion Bartoli on the road, the team will look to Vera Zvonareva, who currently ranks No. 4 in the league in women's singles, to try and spearhead their quest for a victory.
TOMORROW (July 18)
Live Stream of the Day – Texas Wild @ Austin Aces 8:30 PM EDT
Marion Bartoli and Andy Roddick return to Austin as they welcome the Texas Wild to the Cedar Park Center. It might be the second match between the two squads in 24 hours, but with Austin's lineup possessing a completely different look, it's certainly just as tough to call.
Boston Lobsters @ Philadelphia Freedoms 7:00 PM EDT
In another first-time meeting late in the season, the Boston Lobsters head to Villanova to close out the Freedoms' first set of home matches.
Washington Kastles @ Springfield Lasers 8:00 PM EDT
The second of two cross-conference matches on Friday sees the Washington Kasltes travel to the Springfield Lasers. Both teams rank at or near the top of the league in men's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. Something has to give, as the two teams will be facing off for the first time this season.