World TeamTennis 2020 Results: Scores and Highlights from July 24

Seven matches remain before the conclusion of the 2020 World TeamTennis season.

There’s no time for complacency since only two victories separate the fourth-place Orlando Storm from the last-place Orange County Breakers, and all of the four playoff bids remain up for grabs.

The Breakers are in action against the Philadelphia Freedoms in Friday’s second match at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The New York Empire and Vegas Rollers got play underway, and the Washington Kastles and Chicago Smash will bring the night to a close.

2020 World TeamTennis Results: July 24

New York Empire def. Vegas Rollers 25-17

Philadelphia Freedoms def. Orange County Breakers 22-21

Chicago Smash def. Washington Kastles, 21-15

Chicago Smash 21, Washington Kastles 15

Rajeev Ram and Brandon Nakashima got the Smash off to a fast start that they never looked back from with a 5-0 win over Nick Monroe and Marcelo Arevalo in mixed doubles action. 

Chicago won each of the first three events, with Nakashima’s win over Tommy Paul in men’s singles play putting his squad up 10-1. 

Philadelphia Freedoms 22, Orange County Breakers 21

The Freedoms dug themselves out of an early hole to earn a 22-21 win over the Breakers, who have sole possession of eighth and last place (3-7) for the time being.

Orange County looked prime to break a two-match losing skid after Steve Johnson beat Taylor Fritz in men’s singles and Jennifer Brady followed up by defeating Sofia Kenin.

The turning point came in the third set as Steve Johnson and Austin Krajicek attempted to make it three straight sets against Fabrice Martin and Donald Young. A tiebreaker was necessary to separate the two men’s doubles teams, and a power forehand from Martin eluded Krajicek at the net on set point.

Taylor Townsend and Caroline Dolehide kept Philadelphia alive in women’s doubles, and the team of Townsend and Martin sealed the deal in mixed doubles.

In a match with the slimmest of margins determining the outcome, Townsend and Martin’s work on serve was the difference. Townsend won nine of her 11 first-service points, while Martin was a perfect 9-of-9.

On match point, Martin’s return found Johnson, who dumped his backhand volley into the net.

The Freedoms improved their record to 8-1, building a 1.5-match gap on the second-place Chicago Smash. Their comeback over the final three sets showed why they sit atop the standings.

New York Empire 25, Vegas Rollers 17

The Empire made a clean sweep of the Rollers, winning all five sets en route to an eight-point victory.

Jack Sock got New York started off on the right foot by taking down Sam Querrey, 5-3, in men’s singles, and the team of Kim Clijsters and Kveta Peschke defeated Monica Puig and Ajla Tomljanovic, 5-2, in women’s doubles.

The other three sets were decided by slim 5-4 margins.

The Rollers were poised to pick up a much-needed set win in women’s singles after Puig built a 3-1 lead on Sabine Lisicki. Clijsters replaced Lisicki, at which point the set turned. The four-time Grand Slam champion won 10 of her 12 first-service points to take the next three games to force a tiebreaker.

The Bryan brothers might be a legendary doubles team, but twins Bob and Mike were no match for Sock and Neal Skupski in men’s doubles. Sock and Skupski claimed 20 of their 25 service points, with Sock earning four aces.