July 11 Reviews
ORANGE COUNTY BREAKERS def. Kansas City Explorers 25-8
The Breakers won all five sets en route to a decisive victory over the Explorers in Irvine, Calif. on Wednesday night. Orange County (1-1) clicked right from the first set with Travis Parrott and newcomer John-Patrick Smith defeating Nick Monroe and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, 5-0. Anna-Lena Groenefeld led the Breakers with wins in women's singles and teaming with Breakers veteran Lindsay Davenport for a women's doubles victory as well. Kansas City (1-1) will be back on the court tonight in Sacramento for the WTT Live Stream of the Day.
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOMS def. Boston Lobsters 24-17
The Freedoms (1-1) took care of business at home, defeating the Lobsters (1-1) in a match that was much closer than the score indicates. Philadelphia led by two games going into the final set and closed the door on Boston with a doubles victory for the Pliskova twins, 5-0. Karolina and Kristyna Pliskova executed well throughout the match. In the second set, Kristyna defeated the young, talented American Irina Falconi, 5-4. Karolina, partnered with Jordan Kerr, also provided a spark on the court in their mixed doubles victory over the Lobsters Falconi and Eric Butorac. Both the Freedoms and Lobsters will have a day to rest up before returning to the court on July 13.
Washington Kastles def. SPRINGFIELD LASERS 20-18
The Kastles overcame a mid-match rally from the Lasers to secure their 18th straight win. After two sets, Washington had a 10-5 lead and looked like they were going to cruise into another victory. However, men’s doubles partners Amir Weintraub and Devin Britton defeated the highly successful duo of Leander Paes and Bobby Reynolds, 5-3. In the next set, Kastles’ Rodionova sisters were defeated by two young guns of the League, Timea Babos and Maria Sanchez, 5-2. Yet, as Washington has done the past 17 matches, they closed it out in the fifth set with Anastasia Rodionova edging Timea Babos, 5-3. Springfield (0-3) will have their first day off of the week.
July 12 Previews
Live Stream of the Day
Kansas City Explorers @ Sacramento Capitals 7:35 p.m. PDT (Watch Free Live Stream)
Mardy Fish, one of America’s top singles players, takes to the court at the Sunrise MarketPlace Outdoor Pavilion for the Capitals' first home match of the season tonight. This could give them a big edge over a young Explorers squad. The Explorers do, however, have one of the best doubles players in the world in Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi. The key to this matchup may be the women. Both teams have relatively new women to WTT — Asia Muhammad (SAC), Yasmin Schnack (SAC), Chanel Simmonds (KC), and Tetiana Luzhanska (KC).
Other Match
New York Sportimes @ Washington Kastles 7:10 EDT
The Kastles return home for the first time since winning the King Trophy after a record-breaking 16-0 championship season in 2011. The Kastles are planning to raise their 2011 WTT Championship banner before tonight's match. Martina Hingis and the New York Sportimes will try and spoil the Kastles home opener. The Kastles-Sportimes have become one of the most spirited rivalries in WTT. This will be a good look at how New York stacks up against the East’s elite. The Kastles are one of New York’s biggest obstacles at a playoff berth.
July 13 Previews
Live Streams of the Day
Washington Kastles @ Boston Lobsters 7:00 p.m. EDT (Watch Free Live Stream)
Boston plays host to a crucial first week matchup and a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. Key addition Robby Ginepri will compete again for the Lobsters, who are trying to make the next step after a playoff run last season. The Rodionova sisters might have something to say about that as Washington will play their third road match of the week.
Orange County Breakers @ Sacramento Capitals 7:30 p.m. PDT (Watch Free Live Stream)
The Breakers take their talents to Sacramento for a big matchup in the West between a couple of talented and well-coached squads. As mentioned in the season preview, on paper, the West may be decided in California. This will be the first taste of two teams likely to battle in September.
Other Matches
Springfield Lasers @ Kansas City Explorers 7:35 p.m. CDT
Springfield stays in Missouri for a Western Conference matchup featuring young players with a lot of energy on the court. The result of the Timea Babos and Maria Sanchez versus Chanel Simmonds and Tetiana Luzhanska matchup in women’s doubles could be the most intriguing matchup tonight.
Philadelphia Freedoms @ New York Sportimes 7:00 p.m. EDT
Freedoms travel up to Randall’s Island to play against the Sportimes. Martina Hingis will appear in this match along with John McEnroe. This matchup pits the third and fourth place squads in the East last year. Philadelphia is looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
For more WTT coverage, go to our World TeamTennis page.