It was another strong showing from the top seeds in doubles today as 11 of the top 12 seeds in mixed doubles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles kept their hopes alive for a spot-on Championship Sunday. The day wasn’t without a few surprises so let’s start with the singles draws and work through the rest of the action at Brookhaven Country Club.
Men’s Singles: Haworth’s Run Continues
After defeating #1 seed Ben Johns today could have easily been a letdown spot for Christopher Haworth as he faced the high-flying Collin Shick. However, he got off to a quick start going up 11-3. After dropping game 2 he found his groove again closing out the match 11-3 in game 3. He will face JW Johnson in the semifinals who made quick work of Christian Alshon after a back-and-forth game 1. On the bottom half Jaume Martinez Vich upset #2 seed Tyson McGuffin 11-6, 11-9. Both players went with a heavy cat and mouse approach but it was Martinez Vich who made the plays on the big points. Hunter Johnson won a tightly contested three game match against Connor Garnett so he will go up against Martinez Vich tomorrow for a spot on Championship Sunday.
Women’s Singles: One Match Away
When the draws were revealed, it looked like we were on a collision course for another Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau final. We are officially one match away. Waters did drop the 2nd game of her QF to Jorja Johnson but responded with an 11-0 game 3. She will face Judit Castillo tomorrow who defeated Salome Devidze 11-3, 11-1. On the bottom half Catherine Parenteau won 11-4, 11-4 over Mary Brascia. Her semifinal opponent will be Megan Fudge who played a marathon three game match against Lina Padegimaite. Fudge found a way to bounce back from a game 1 loss to win the next two games 11-8, 11-8.
Mixed Doubles: McGuffin Withdraws
It was a pretty straightforward day for the top seeds in mixed doubles. (1) Johns/Waters, (2) Bright/Ignatowich, and (3) Johnson/Johnson all won their matches in straight games. Johns & Waters played a tight game 2 against up and comers Alshon/Black but found their best stuff in game 3 to close it out. The storyline has to be Tyson McGuffin withdrawing with an illness as he and Catherine Parenteau were slated to play against Riley Newman and Parris Todd.
Women’s Doubles: Brascia’s Statement Win
On paper Parris Todd and Jessie Irvine were the favorites to face Anna Bright and Jade Kawamoto in the semifinals but the Brascia sisters had other ideas today. They took out Todd/Irvine comfortably in three straight games setting up what should be a very entertaining semifinal vs the #2 seeds. On the other side Parenteau/Waters will face David/Schneemann who defeated the veteran Utah duo of Jones/Smith in four games.
Men’s Doubles: Ignatowich Oh So Close
Left side James “Jimmy” Ignatowich played big today as he and Tyler Loong were points away from taking out the Johns brothers but ended up losing in five games. It was the match of the day on center court as the length and power of the righty lefty duo proved to be troublesome for the top seeds. Ben & Collin will go up against another lefty righty team in Pablo Tellez and Federico Staksrud in the semis. On the bottom half we have (2) Frazier/Johnson vs (3) Newman/Alshon. Alshon is looking for his first doubles final of the year outside of MLP so that will be a match to watch tomorrow.
