This week, Team Selkirk is in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, aiming to secure the final points of the season. The Atlanta Pickleball Championships serve as the last regular-season stop before the PPA Finals in San Clemente this May.
Sock hangs onto the No. 7 ranking
Jack Sock’s biggest opportunity in Atlanta will come in singles. With 5,150 points in the race to the finals, Sock currently sits in the No. 7 spot, with several competitors close behind. He is on a tough side of the draw and will face JW Johnson in a rematch of the Sacramento PPA. If he advances, he could meet the winner of Zane Ford vs. Rafa Lenhard in the next round.
Kunimoto on a roll
Kiora Kunimoto continues to dominate in the women’s singles draw. The 18-year-old reached another semifinals in the last tournament, and will look to repeat that success this week in Atlanta. Kunimoto started her singles campaign with a quick win over Caroline Maguire, losing just 4 points total. Kunimoto will play Lina Padegimaite for a spot in the round of 16.
Tama plays big
Fifteen-year-old Tama Shimabukuro delivered an impressive performance in mixed doubles alongside Australian pickleball star Sahra Dennehy. The duo faced the more seasoned pair of Riley Newman and Layne Sleeth and walked away with a straight-game victory, 11-3, 11-3. Shimabukuro’s quickness at the kitchen and consistency with his backhand flick earned him numerous points, especially against Newman. The No. 43 seeds will now face another young team, Cailyn Campbell and Will MacKinnon, in the round of 32.
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