The biggest storyline from Monday’s main draw play came from Selkirk Emerging Pro Rafael Lenhard. In just his third pro PPA event appearance, he pulled off the upset of the day by defeating No. 4 seed Ben Johns in the round of 64, 11-6, 14-12. Lenhard advanced through the qualifiers, defeating two tough opponents on Monday before making his main draw debut on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Lenhard struck again with a win over tour veteran Zane Navratil – this time in a three-game victory: 11-4, 10-12, 11-3. Now, into the Round of 16, Lenhard will have to dig deep to overcome the Frenchman Noe Khlif.
Rohrabacher, Parenteau find their rhythm
Rachel Rohrabacher and Catherine Parenteau’s second-time partnership already looks different from their first at the Atlanta Slam. The duo reached the finals in Atlanta, learning to play as teammates rather than as rivals. In their first match together in San Clemente, Rohrabacher and Parenteau rolled through the round of 32 with an 11-2, 11-1 win over Zoey Weil and Paula Rives Palau. They will next face the Walker sisters, whom they defeated in Atlanta in the round of 16, 11-2, 11-2.
Ignatowich in singles
It’s rare to see James Ignatowich make an appearance in the singles draw, but he is playing it in San Clemente. Coming in at the No. 46 spot, Ignatowich took out Mota Alhouni in three games, before defeating rising singles talent Zane Ford, also in three games. Ignatowich overcame a pickle in the first set to win 0-11, 11-1, 11-4. He will face No. 5 seed, Jaume Martinez-Vich in the Round of 16.
Sock battles into the Round of 16
Jack Sock faced two tough tests on his way to the Round of 16. He struggled in the first round against an in-form Martin Emmrich but managed to pull out the win, 5-11, 11-7, 12-10. Sock then took on fellow tennis star Donald Young, earning a pickle and conceding only six points in game two. He will face a major challenge in the Round of 16 when he plays his Phoenix Flames teammate, Tyson McGuffin, for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Tune in
Catch all the action from San Clemente on the Pickleball TV stream this week!