It was an eventful Thursday at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, Nevada. Today was the round of 16 of the progressive draw so all five disciplines were played in the ballroom of the Vegas hotel and casino. Let’s take a look at who was able to secure their spot in the quarterfinals.
Men’s Singles: Sock to face Staksrud in much anticipated QF
Jack Sock has made it clear in a few interviews thus far that he is enjoying the much slower indoor courts this week. He seems to feel comfortable on them and a comfortable Jack Sock is a scary one. He had Jay Devilliers on the dead stretch for most of the match and came up with some clutch forehands when he needed it most to book his ticket into the quarters. We are also one match away from all Selkirk semifinal between Dylan Frazier and Quang Duong who both picked up wins today.
Women’s Singles: Parenteau falls to Wang in two games
Chao Yi Wang has been on a tear in women’s singles recently. She opened up red hot against Catherine Parenteau, leading 11-2, 4-0 before Catherine made a big push in game two. She couldn’t quite get over the hump though, losing 11-9. It opens up the bottom half of the draw a bit as Wang, Jansen, Schneemann or Fahey have a great chance to make a final.
Mixed Doubles: Ignatowich into QF with new partner
James Ignatowich is testing out some new mixed doubles partnerships. This week it’s Vivian Glozman, his teammate on the DC Pickleball Team of Major League Pickleball. They played a very strong game 3 to take out the veterans Lucy Kovalova and Matt Wright. It sets up a date with a former team coming back together for a tournament in 2024 in Catherine Parenteau and Riley Newman which will be must see TV.
Men’s Doubles: Top seeds take care of business
The top seeds took care of business as there were no upsets in the eight matches played today. It setups some very intriguing quarterfinals matchups. JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier will take on Andrei Daescu and Gabe Tardio, a team they lost to in Utah just last week. Ben and Collin Johns will go up against familiar foe Riley Newman and Christian Alshon which should have lots of fireworks. Lastly Zane Navratil and Dekel Bar play Hayden Patriquin and Pablo Tellez. The last time Navratil went up against Patriquin, he hit him with a nasty nelson in MLP. Get your popcorn ready.
Women’s Doubles: Rohrabacher and Parenteau on collision course
The two most dominant teams in the tournament so far: Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau and Rachel Rohrabacher/Jorja Johnson. They are one round away from meeting in the semifinals. Meghan Dizon/Etta Wright took a surprising loss today against Genie Erokhina/Alli Phillips opening up the path a bit for the the #2 seeds Anna Bright/Tina Pisnik. Parris Todd/Hurricane Tyra Black way have something to say about that as they have collected a few podiums together in 2024.
On the Horizon
It should be a very exciting Friday with marquee matchups all over. Don’t miss any of the action on PickleballTV and the PPA’s YouTube channel beginning at 11am PT.
