July 16 Reviews
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOMS def. Kansas City Explorers, 20-16
Going into the final set tied at 15, the Freedoms' Pliskova twins won women's doubles in decisive fashion over Chanel Simmonds and Tetiana Luzhanska, 5-1. Karolina and Kristyna combined to win 82 percent of their first-serve points. Philadelphia has now matched their win total from a year ago. The Explorers drop to 2-4, only a half match out of second place in the Western Conference
SPRINGFIELD LASERS def Orange County Breakers, 20-17 (OT)
The Lasers picked up their first win of the season with a hard-fought overtime victory against the Breakers. Orange County’s John-Patrick Smith and Travis Parrott made it interesting with a 5-3 men’s doubles win in the fifth set, but only one game into overtime, Springfield’s Devin Britton and Amir Weintraub ended the match. The Lasers had lost the previous six matches. However, they are still very much in the playoff race.
WASHINGTON KASTLES def. Boston Lobsters, 20-11
With the help of Venus Williams, the Kastles extended their win streak to 22 matches Monday night in front of a Washington crowd that featured the first lady, Michelle Obama. Washington started fast, jumping out to a 15-2 lead at the end of the third set. However, Boston’s Irina Falconi played exceptional against seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams. Falconi won the fourth set 5-0, winning 80 percent of her second-serve points. The Kastles will try and extend their streak Wednesday night when they face the Sacramento Capitals.
SACRAMENTO CAPITALS def. New York Sportimes, 18-17
The duo of Mark Knowles and Sam Querrey powered the Capitals to a win over the Sportimes. Knowles and Querrey won men’s doubles in the final set over Robert Kendrick and Jesse Witten, 5-0. The two men never faulted during the set and won 20 of the 29 points overall. The Sportimes remain in second place in the Eastern Conference with a half game lead over the Freedoms. The Capitals will take on the undefeated Washington Kastles in a battle of top teams in their respective conferences.
July 17 Previews
Live Stream of the Day
Orange County Breakers at Boston Lobsters, 7:00 p.m. EDT (Watch Free Live Stream)
Lindsay Davenport and the Orange County Breakers travel to Boston Tuesday night for the Live Stream of the Day. With strong women on both sides, this match will depend on the men, such as Orange County’s John-Patrick Smith and Boston’s Jan-Michael Gambill, to provide a spark for their respective squads.
July 18 Previews
Live Streams of the Day
Sacramento Capitals at Washington Kastles, 7:10 p.m. EDT (Watch Free Live Stream)
The two top teams in their respective conferences face off in the nation’s capital Wednesday night. Sacramento’s Sam Querrey will appear in this match as the Capitals try and knock off a Kastles team that has not lost since July 22, 2010.
Other Matches
Philadelphia Freedoms at New York Sportimes, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Martina Hingis and the Sportimes battle one of their Eastern Conference rivals at Randall’s Island on Wednesday. Hingis is a major reason why the Sportimes are off to a very good start this year. The last time these two teams met was July 13, with New York edging Philadelphia, 22-16
Kansas City Explorers at Boston Lobsters, 7:00 p.m. EDT
This is the first meeting between the Lobsters and Explorers this season. This match marks the fourth consecutive match for Boston, who will also play tomorrow before having a day off. The Lobsters are 2-1 at home this year, while the Explorers are 1-3 on the road.
For more WTT coverage, go to our World TeamTennis page.