Lasers defeat Kastles in Washington

A night after the Texas Wild handed the Washington Kastles their first loss in 34-matches, the Springfield Lasers convincingly took down the Kastles on their home court for the first time in two years (22-15).

The first event featured Mens Singles, where Kevin Anderson – in his final appearance of the 2013 World Team Tennis season – broke Andy Roddick twice to take the first set 5-2. Vania King then took the Womens Singles event 5-3, with one break on Anastasia Rodionova. Without Martina Hingis, the Kastles are struggling in both Mixed and Womens Doubles. In the third event, Jean-Julien Rojer and Alisa Kleybanova of the Lasers were able to break Leander Paes and Rodionova to take the set 5-3; followed by a King-Kleybanova routing of Rodionova and Alla Kudryavtseva 5-0. In the final Mens Doubles event, Paes and Bobby Reynolds tried to force overtime, but lost the set tiebreak to Roddick-Rojer 4-5 and the Springfield Lasers collected their third win of the season.

TONIGHT – The Orange County Breakers are in Springfield to face the Lasers at Medicom Tennis Stadium (Cooper Tennis Complex). Last night, the Breakers humbled the Texas Wild after the Wild’s historic win over Washington the previous night. Orange County won all five events (25-15), and come to Springfield with a 2-2 record.

The Lasers and Breakers are two very evenly matched teams with nearly identical event results. In Mens Singles, their both 2-2. Mens Doubles 3-1. Mixed Doubles 2-2. Womens Singles 3-1. Springfield has a slight edge on Orange County in Womens Doubles as King-Kleybanova are 3-1, while Vandeweghe-Camerin are 2-2. Don’t be surprised if Coach JL de Jager elects Womens Doubles for the final set tonight.

7/11 – WIN 22-15 over the Washington Kastles

MS (L) 2-5 Roddick vs. Anderson
WS (W) 5-3 King vs. Rodionova
MXD (W) 5-3 Rojer/Kleybanova vs. Paes/Rodionova
WD (W) 5-0 King/Kleybanova vs. Rodionova/Kuryavtseva
MD (W) 5-4 Roddick/Rojer vs. Paes/Reynolds

2013 WORLD TEAM TENNIS STANDINGS

Western Conference

  1. Sacramento Capitals (3-0)
  2. Springfield Lasers (3-1)
  3. Orange County Breakers (2-2)
  4. Texas Wild (2-2)

Eastern Conference

  1. New York Sportimes (2-2)
  2. Washington Kastles (2-2)
  3. Boston Lobsters (1-3)
  4. Philadelphia Freedoms (0-3)