Caroline Wozniacki and Naomi Broady won two events each, leading the Philadelphia Freedoms to a 22-19 extended-play victory over the New York Empire presented by Citi in Mylan World TeamTennis action at Forest Hills Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club tonight. Wozniacki’s wins came in singles and doubles, while Broady took the doubles and mixed doubles events for the victors.
Guido Pella, competing in his next to last match for the Empire before leaving for Rio to represent his native Argentina, started things off well for the hosts, topping Lukas Lacko, 5-2, in men’s singles. But the Freedom’s women’s doubles squad of Wozniacki and Broady rallied to bounce Christina McHale and Maria Irigoyen, 5-4, for a 9-7 Empire advantage. Next, Broady and Fabrice Martin won their mixed doubles event, 5-3, over the Empire’s Maria Irigoyen and Neal Skupski to even the match at 12-12.
That set up the event many fans were awaiting–the women’s singles set between McHale and former world No. 1 Wozniacki. The Danish star blanked her local rival, defeating McHale, 5-0, for a commanding 17-12 Philadephia lead. Men’s doubles closed out the match, as Skupski and Pella won, 5-4, over Martin and Lacko, necessitating extended play with the Empire trailing, 21-17. The Empire duo won the next two games in extended play to edge to within 21-19, but Philadelphia closed out the win.
The Empire visit the five-time defending champion Washington Kastles in their next action on Tuesday then return home on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Springfield Lasers at Forest Hills Stadium. Philadelphia hosts the Lasers in the Freedoms’ first home match on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at The Pavilion at Villanova University.
Mylan World TeamTennis presented by GEICO
Philadelphia Freedoms (2-0) d. New York Empire (0-2), 22-19 (extended play)
Men’s Singles: Guido Pella (NYE) d. Lukas Lacko (PHL), 5-2
Women’s Doubles: Caroline Wozniacki/Naomi Broady (PHL) d. Christina McHale/Maria Irigoyen (NYE), 5-4
Mixed Doubles: Naomi Broady/Fabrice Martin (PHL) d. Maria Irigoyen/Neal Skupski (NYE), 5-3
Women’s Singles: Caroline Wozniacki (PHL) d. Christina McHale (NYE) , 5-0
Men’s Doubles: Neal Skupski/Guido Pella (NYE) d. Lukas Lacko/Fabrice Martin (PHL), 5-4 (2-1 extended play)
The Empire schedule and a full roster of players can be found at www.NYEmpireTennis.com. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter (@nyempiretennis) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/NYEmpireTennis). To become a sponsor, purchase individual or season tickets or to get more information about VIP packages, please email [email protected], visit www.nyempiretennis.com or call the New York Empire office at (844) 5-EMPIRE (844-536-7473).
About the New York Empire
The New York Empire presented by Citi plays their first season at Forest Hills Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club. The restored facility has been configured to seat 2,500 for six home matches through August 13. Patrick McEnroe will serve as the coach of the Empire, former US Open champion Andy Roddick will be a marquee player on the team, and New Jersey native and one of the top American women, Christina McHale headline the roster. The Empire roster also features Guido Pella of Argentina, and doubles specialists María Irigoyen also of Argentina and Neal Skupski of Great Britain. The stadium hosted the US Open Tennis Championships a total of 60 times, first from 1915 to 1920, and then again from 1924 to 1977. In addition, the finals of the Davis Cup were held at the club 10 times, more than any other venue. Currently, the stadium is also used as a music venue for concerts such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon among many others.
About Mylan World TeamTennis
The New York Empire is one of six Mylan World TeamTennis presented by GEICO teams that will compete in the innovative professional team tennis league for the King Trophy, the championship trophy named after co-founder Billie Jean King. For more information on Mylan WTT, visit www.WTT.com.
Media Contacts:
Joe Favorito/917-566-8345 [email protected]
Jerry Milani/917-797-5663 [email protected]