Tennis fever usually captivates Washington for a week in August when the Legg Mason Tennis Classic is played in Rock Creek Park, but fans who want more opportunities to watch pro tennis up close are in luck this week: the Washington Kastles, D.C.’s World Team Tennis team, play the second match of their 2009 season with a match against the St. Louis Aces. The premise behind making tennis a team sport is that it pairs lesser-known pros with well-known players, thereby balancing the skill levels. Washington’s star this summer is Serena Williams, but since she plays in only a few WTT matches, the Kastles will have to rely on the talent of Leander Paes, the 2009 French Open doubles champion. Their competition from St. Louis consists of similarly ranked players with the exception of their marquee player, Anna Kournikova. Unlike Williams, who’s known for being really good at tennis, Kournikova is best known for posing in FHM and Maxim. Tennis championships might not establish Washington as a serious sports city, but amply endowed athletes jumping and grunting can only help.

THE WASHINGTON KASTLES PLAY THE ST. LOUIS ACES AT 7 P.M. AT KASTLES STADIUM, 11TH AND H STreets NW. $45–$65. (202) 483-6647.