case was decided. The Nets' home match against the San Diego Friars in South Florida on July 17, featuring Borg against Rod Laver in men's singles drew 8,470 fans. Despite the stellar play of Borg, the Nets finished with 16 wins and 28 losses, fourth in the Eastern Division. This was good enough to earn them a berth in the Eastern Division Semifinals against the Lobsters who were led by Navratilova, their former teammate. The Lobsters won the opening match in Boston, 30–26, on August 16. The following day, the New York State Supreme Court ruled in favor of Richards in her case against the USTA stating in its opinion that requiring Richards to take the test was "grossly unfair, discriminatory and inequitable and violative of her rights" and added, "it seems clear defendants [USTA] knowingly instituted this test for the sole purpose of preventing plaintiff [Richards] from participating in the tournament." The USTA immediately placed Richards in the main draw of the 1977 US Open bypassing qualification. WTT commissioner Butch Buchholz immediately sent the Nets a telegram confirming that Richard was now eligible to play as a female. While there was much anticipation that Richards might make her WTT debut in the second match of the playoff series against the Lobsters a day after her victory in court, she was not on the bench when the match started. Nevertheless, the Nets staved off elimination in Richfield with a 21–20 victory. Marty Riessen and Turnbull opened the match with a 6–2 set win over Mike Estep and Greer Stevens in mixed doubles. Borg followed with a set win over Tony Roche by the same score to give the Nets an early 12–4 lead. The Lobsters fought back and took a 16–15 lead to the final set, men's doubles. Riessen and Borg topped Roche and Estep, 6–4, to take the match. Prior to the third and deciding playoff match, Richards had expressed uncertainty about jumping into the team while the Nets were in the midst of a playoff series. Nets coach Riessen said that he planned to watch Richards warming up with the team before making the decision about having her play. Richards did not play in the match, and the Nets lost, 21–20, despite Turnbull taking the women's singles set from Navratilova, the player for whom she was traded, 7–6. Move to New Orleans Nets owner Joe Zingale was disappointed