It’s day three at the PPA Mesa, and Jack Sock and Kiora Kunimoto are leading the charge for the biggest upsets of the day at the tournament. Sock knocked out the No. 2 seeds in mixed doubles, while Kunimoto took down the No. 6 seed in singles.
Sock earns biggest mixed doubles career win
Historically, Jack Sock’s best event has been singles, but his mixed doubles game is evolving quickly, particularly in Mesa. Sock pairs up with Lacy Schneeman for this event, marking their first time competing together. The duo came through a tough draw of Len Yang / Paula Rives (11-9, 11-3) and Tyson McGuffin / Zoey Wang (11-5, 11-3) before their meeting with the No. 2 team, JW and Jorja Johnson, today.
Sock/Schneeman were the clear underdogs heading into this matchup, but they proved their chemistry in a two-game win over the Johnsons. Sock’s quick reactions and tricky shot-making looked to be game-changers in this match, with the Johnsons making uncharacteristic mistakes and slight pop-ups.
With the 11-6, 11-6 win, Sock/Schneeman move on to the quarterfinals and will face either No. 7 Federico Staksrud/Kate Fahey or No. 9 Noe Khlif/Tina Pisnik.
Kunimoto sets up a blockbuster quarterfinal
Eighteen-year-old Kiora Kunimoto was dealt a tough draw this tournament but continues to show just how talented she is by taking down some of the best. Yesterday, Kunimoto defeated Jorja Johnson in three games, and today, she took down Catherine Parenteau in two. Kunimoto started the match by putting pressure on Parenteau, making her shots, and trying to keep Parenteau back at the baseline. Quickly finding her rhythm, Kunimoto was able to close out the match 11-6, 11-4.
With this win, Kunimoto now sets up a highly anticipated clash of the teens, where she will go up against World No. 1 Anna-Leigh Waters for the first time.
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