Oudsema, Puchkova, Paes lead second-year Washington to title
On a day when the Washington Nationals’ lovable, but losing, mascot Teddy Roosevelt claimed a one-on-one victory, anything was possible — even a professional sports championship in a city where futility has reigned.
So after Teddy, always last place in the Nationals’ entertaining presidents race, defeated Washington Bayhawks mascot Hawk-Eye during intermission of the Advanta World Team Tennis finals, the Washington Kastles went about the business of delivering the city a rare title.
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Propelled by the powerful serves of Scott Oudsema and the late heroics of Olga Puchkova, the Kastles rolled past the Springfield (Mo.) Lasers, 23-20, to the delight of a boisterous crowd at Kastles Stadium at 11th and H streets, N.W.
After Puchkova clinched the match with an overtime victory, 5-4, in her women’s singles competition with Vania King, Washington (9-7) celebrated the championship in its second year of existence.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King, who helped pioneer the league 36 years ago, presented the King Trophy to Kastles owner Mark Ein and coach Murphy Jensen, while the GEICO Caveman prowled the stands.
Led by WTT women’s MVP Vania King, Springfield (13-3) appeared on the verge of a remarkable come-from-behind victory. With King winning all the clutch points and leading Puchkova, 4-2, Springfield had pulled into a 20-20 tie after trailing 18-12.
But after trailing 3-1 in the sixth game, Puchkova survived three match points and summoned her best stuff, winning the last three games. After breaking King’s serve and winning her own, Puchkova won the last four points of the overtime. When King’s baseline shot sailed wide, Puchkova raised both fists to the sky and was swarmed by her teammates.
In addition to Puchkova’s pressure-packed final match, the Kastles got clutch play when they needed it most, winning both matches that went to overtime.
WTT Men’s MVP Leander Paes and Rennae Stubbs outlasted Martin Damm and Liezel Huber in the mixed doubles, winning the overtime game, 5-1. In the next match, Paes and Oudsema downed Raven Klaasen and Damm in men’s doubles, 5-4.
Those matches, ultimately, were the difference.
Afterward Oudsema, who set the tone with his powerful display in the opening match, a 5-3 win over Klaasen, was named finals MVP.
