The sun was out bright and early at Brookhaven Country Club which allowed for all semifinal matches to be completed outdoors on Proton championship court. Let’s breakdown who punched their ticket to Championship Sunday.
Men’s Singles: Loyd one win away from storybook finish
Michael Loyd continues to play lights out in the men’s singles draw. He has now taken out Ben Johns, JW Johnson and Quang Duong to reach the finals. Standing in his way of the trophy is Federico Staksrud who took out Hunter Johnson in three games after dropping game 1. Staksrud has the experience but Loyd has the confidence. It should make for an exciting matchup.
Women’s Singles: Fahey will look to push Waters
Kate Fahey was able to outhit Salome Devidze in her women’s singles semifinal. Anna Leigh Waters was able to do the same against Catherine Parenteau. Fahey will look to dethrone Anna Leigh Waters on Sunday, a feat only Salome Devidze has accomplished in 2024.
Mixed Doubles: Waters/Johns to face Alshon/Wright
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns were able to neutralize the attacks of Quang Duong and Anna Bright to win in straights 11-6, 11-1. Duong was unable to get anything going head to head with Waters and it allowed the top seeds to pull away in game 2. In the other semifinal, Alshon/Wright fended off a late push from Staksrud/Rohrabacher to close out their semifinal 11-9 in game 2. Alshon has had some success against the top seeds in mixed but hasn’t been able to walk away with a win in 2024 yet.
Men’s Doubles: Veterans take out the teens
Game 1 between Quang Duong/CJ Klinger and Dekel Bar/Pablo Tellez was back and forth but the teenagers got it done 14-12 and they looked to be on their way but the veterans took full control the rest of the way winning the last two games 11-1, 11-5. They were able to control the kitchen line and control the tempo. In the other semifinal it was one way traffic as “Big H” Hayden Patriquin and Riley Newman defeated Federico Staksrud and Matt Wright in straights.
Women’s Doubles: Top seeds to do battle again
Waters/Parenteau had no trouble against Lea Jansen and Tina Pisnik but Bright/Rohrabacher had to fight and claw against Tyra Black/Allyce Jones to advance, as they were down a game and 9-7 before putting together a run of their own. The defense of Black/Jones continues to be a thorn in the #2 seeds side this year but they have figured out a way through in each encounter.
On the Horizon
Championship Sunday kicks off at 12pm EST beginning with women’s doubles and ending with women’s singles. Tune into PickleballTV to catch all five gold medal matches.
