The "Battle of the Legends" between the Boston Lobsters and New York Sportimes turned out to be one for the ages. Playing for the home team Sportimes was John McEnroe and across the net on the opposing team was none other than Martina Navratilova. The event, "Tennis Champions For Children Gala" was hosted by the Randall's Island Sports Foundation (RISF).

 

The two participated in a pre-match press conference. Navratilova was making her second appearance for the Lobsters this year, while McEnroe was playing in his third match for the Sportimes.

 

With an electric atmosphere at the Sportimes Stadium at Randall Island, it comes to no surprise that the match featured some exciting tennis. McEnroe and Robert Kendrick opened play for the Sportimes in men's doubles against Wimbledon Blogger James Auckland and Jan-Michael Gambill. The Lobsters pairing was not intimidated by McEnroe's presence, as they won the set 5-3 and won a perfect three out of three deciding points.

 

The second set also proved to be a tight battle. Partnering Raquel Kops-Jones in women's doubles, Navratilova looked to help keep the Lobsters in front. Christina Fusano and Abigail Spears held their own, pushing the set into a tiebreaker, which they would go on to take. That cut the Lobsters lead to 9-8.

 

McEnroe took the court again, this time in men's singles. The Lobsters opted to play Gambill and he played an excellent set, winning an impressive 80% of his service points. McEnroe had no break point opportunities in the set and Gambill was able to convert one of his five chances on McEnroe's serve to take the set 5-3 and give the Lobsters a 14-11 lead at halftime.

 

During the halftime break, League co-founder Billie Jean King, along with Chris Lacopo, Eugene L. Scott and Ken Soloman, were presented awards by the RISF.

 

The fourth set was a critical set for both teams. The Lobsters had an opportunity to extend their lead, while the Sportimes had a chance to get the team score even with Boston. Abigail Spears managed to win yet another dead even set, ousting Stephanie Foretz 5-4. This put the team score at 18 Lobsters, 16 Sportimes.

 

The home coach, having the option of setting the lineup in their team's best interest, had decided to place the mixed doubles set at the end of the match. The decision by Sportimes Chuck Adams proved to be the right one, as McEnroe and Spears had no problem defeating Navratilova and Auckland. By winning the final set 5-2, it gave the Sportimes their first lead of the night and also ended the match.

 

The match featured two tennis icons and display of fantastic tennis and drama gave World TeamTennis fans their money's worth. The unsung hero of the night was Abigail Spears, as she contributed to all three of the sets the Sportimes won.

 

McEnroe will make two more appearances for the Sportimes - tonight to the host Washington Kastles and July 21st at the Newport Beach Breakers. Navratilova will also play two more matches for her team - tonight at home against the undefeated Springfield Lasers and July 20th at the Philadelphia Freedoms.