Semifinal Saturday in San Clemente was played in front of a packed house and there were plenty of entertaining matches that kept the fans on the edge of their seats. Let's take a look at who advanced and who will play for a gold medal tomorrow.
Men’s Singles: Haworth takes down Johns
Christopher Haworth is newer to the PPA scene but continues to make noise in men’s singles, getting a revenge win over Ben Johns in three games after losing to him in the PPA Dallas final just last month. Haworth’s ability to blast passing shots off both wings was the difference maker. He’ll face Federico Staksrud who defeated Tyson McGuffin 11-5, 11-5 in other semifinal. Haworth is the only player to defeat Staksrud before a final this year.
Women’s Singles: Parenteau to face Waters in the final
Catherine Parenteau has put together her most complete singles run of the season as she defeated Brooke Buckner 11-7, 11-5 today. Parenteau forced Buckner to work side to side to pass her and that was enough to get her through. She’ll look to keep it going tomorrow against her women’s doubles partner Anna Leigh Waters, who defeated Judit Castillo 11-2, 11-4.
Mixed Doubles: Survival of the fittest
JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson have had trouble with Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters this year but today they looked the team to beat. Jorja Johnson was able to neutralize Ben Johns’ attacks and they had the #1 seeds on the ropes, up 10-4 in game 3. However the nerves of the moment seemed to get the best of them as they lost the final eight points on serve. Johns & Waters escaped multiple match points and it doesn't get any easier tomorrow as they will face Christian Alshon and Catherine Parenteau, who avoided a late burst from Vivian Glozman and Hayden Patriquin in game 2 of their semifinal to advance.
Men’s Doubles: Frazier & Johnson into another final
The most consistent men’s doubles team in the world is the team of Dylan Frazier and JW Johnson who took down Tyson McGuffin and Dekel Bar 11-4, 11-9. The formula for success continues to be get to the kitchen and force their opponents to beat them with suboptimal attacks. On the other side of the draw, Big H continues his strong play as he and partner Pablo Tellez took down Julian Arnold and Jack Munro 11-7, 11-7.
Women’s Doubles: Parenteau & Waters Dominate
It was one way traffic in the first women’s doubles final of the day as Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau defeated Allyce Jones and Irina Tereschenko 11-1, 11-2 to advance to championship Sunday. They’ll face Tina Pisnik and Jessie Irvine who had to climb out of a hole to defeat Hurricane Tyra Black and Parris Todd. They did it with consistent kitchen play and well timed aggression in the big moments.
