Breakers clinch berth in WTT final

NEW YORK — The Orange County Breakers clinched a spot in the World Team Tennis title match after beating the New York Empire, 19-17, Thursday at the West Side Tennis Club.

The Breakers (8-2), winners of seven straight matches, will play in the final Aug. 26 at the same venue against a to-be-determined opponent. The franchise has won the league championship just once, in 2004.

Orange County’s Nicole Gibbs beat Christina McHale and substitute Maria Irogoyen in women’s singles, 5-0, to help rally the Breakers to the win Thursday.

The Breakers, who are now alone in first place, close out the regular season with matches at Philadelphia on Friday and at Washington on Saturday.

— From staff reports

— From staff reports