Gender doubles kicked off on Friday with mixed doubles starting and ending the day. It was a marathon day of pro pickleball packed with plenty of highly entertaining matches. Let’s start with what we saw in the men’s doubles draw.
Men’s Doubles Championship: (1) Riley Newman/AJ Koller vs (7) Tyson McGuffin/James Ignatowich
Riley Newman and AJ Koller didn’t have the easiest of roads as they squared off with the team of (8) Julian Arnold/Thomas Wilson who defeated them a week earlier at the Takeya Showcase at Los Cab Country Club. This time it was Newman/Koller that were able to come up big in the pressure moments as they advanced with an 11-6, 14-12 two game victory. In the semifinals they faced (4) Jay Devilliers/Pat Smith, a partnership that was rekindled from 2021. After a game 1 loss 8-11, Newman/Koller battled back to clinch the match 11-3 in the 3rd.
Tyson McGuffin and James Ignatowich haven’t had the results they would have liked so far this season but they finally put it all together on Friday. With McGuffin on the left and Ignatowich playing more of the setup role on the right they were able to take out (10) Lange/Young 11-2, 12-10. In the QF they defeated (2) Frazier/Daescu 11-9, 11-8. In the SF they hit top form taking out the hot team of (11) Garnett/Alshon 11-6, 11-3. Nice day from Garnett/Alshon as they upset both (6) Patriquin/Loong and (3) Staksrud/Tellez both in two games.
Women’s Doubles Championship: (4) Todd/Parenteau vs (3) Smith/Jones
Parris Todd was a late fill in for Etta Wright who was unable to compete this week. She and Catherine definitely earned their spot in the final as they played three tightly contested matches. In round 1 they squeeked by (13) Glozman/Barr 5-11, 11-5, 12-10. In round 2 they overcame another deficit to the Kawamoto sisters winning 11-13, 11-8, 11-5. In the SF they played their best match of the day defeating (1) Jansen/Irvine 11-9, 11-5. Parenteau’s consistency paired with Todd’s finishing power proved to be the difference in all three victories.
Callie Jo Smith and Allyce Jones have not played together this year but both of them put on a show for their hometown fans. In round 2 they were behind 11-1, 5-1 to the team of Pisnik/Koop before turning it around to win 11-7, 11-8 in the next two games. It was a similar story in the SF as they were down 9-4 in game 1 to (2) Bright/Tyra Black before storming back to win game 1 14-12. With the momentum and crowd on their side they upped their game to another level to walk away with an 11-7 win in game 2.
Mixed Doubles Championship: (4) McGuffin/Parenteau vs (19) Pisnik/Pat Smith
The Cinderella story continued this morning for Tina Pisnik and Pat Smith as they beat the young guns (22) Gabe Tardio and Hurricane Tyra Black in three games to seal their spot on Championship Saturday.
On the other side Tyson McGuffin and Catherine Parenteau were the last match on center court as they upset the top seeds (1) Riley Newman and Jessie Irvine. The McGuffin forehand drive was firing on all cylinders and the Parenteau defense was on full display as they finished off the match on a 11-1 run.
On the Horizon
Championship Saturday kicks off tomorrow at 10AM MTN. Tune in bright and early as Tyson McGuffin will be looking to claim his first triple crown of the PPA season as he is competing in the men’s singles, mixed doubles and men’s doubles finals.
