Day 3 has officially wrapped up at the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour Atlanta Open. The third day of the competition was defined by its intensity, featuring both gender doubles matches that kept the audience at the edge of their seats.
On the men's side, top-seeded Ben & Collin Johns demonstrated their consistent power and strategy. The brothers proved themselves as a force to be reckoned with, securing their position in the final. However, their journey to the top wasn't a smooth ride. The Johns brothers faced a particularly tough match against the ninth-seeded team of DJ Young & Erik Lange in the quarterfinals. This was the only match in which they were pushed to three games, but the Johns maintained their calm and, utilizing their impressive synergy, overcame the hurdle.
Their semifinal match against Dylan Frazier & JW Johnson was another sight to behold. Even though Frazier & Johnson fell to the Johns brothers 11-7, 11-8, they didn't go down without a fight. Despite the loss, Frazier & Johnson rebounded impressively, clinching the bronze medal and cementing their position as serious contenders in the PPA Tour.
Meanwhile, Matt Wright & Riley Newman, the second-seeded pair, had a day of absolute dominance, winning all of their matches and not dropping a single game to 11. Their semifinal match was against the surprise of the tournament, the 14th seeded duo of Connor Garnett & Gabriel Tardio. Garnett & Tardio's performance today turned heads as they had a dream run, pulling off multiple upsets including defeating the third-seeded team of Tyler Loong & AJ Koller, and the eleventh-seeded team of Jay Devilliers & Andrei Daescu. Despite their loss in the semifinals, Garnett & Tardio made a strong statement with their performance today.
Turning to the women's doubles, top-seeded Anna Leigh Waters & Anna Bright have had a spectacular run thus far. Their semifinal face-off against the new pairing of Catherine Parenteau & Parris Todd was an absolute thriller. Parenteau & Todd's defensive gameplay and formidable firepower made for one of the most entertaining and engaging games of the tournament, resulting in several astonishing points. Although they fell to Waters & Bright 11-6, 11-4, Parenteau & Todd's performance was praiseworthy, showcasing their potential as a duo.
The other team to secure their spot in the finals, seventh-seeded Jorja Johnson & Vivienne David, also made waves today. Their remarkable victory against the sibling duo of Mary Brascia & Maggie Brascia in a nail-biting three-game set (4-11, 11-0, 14-12) was a highlight. Johnson & David, a newly formed team, showcase unique playing styles that will undoubtedly challenge Waters & Bright in the finals.
In addition, Mary Brascia's triumph over Lea Jansen in the singles semifinal was very noteworthy, as she found incredible passing shots and was relentless with her angles and court coverage, taking home the win with a 12-10, 12-14, 11-6 win. Mary will now face the formidable Anna Leigh Waters in the singles final tomorrow, promising a match worth watching. The run by Brascia sisters in doubles, despite their semifinal loss, was impressive, and as they continue to develop and train together, they will undoubtedly be a team to watch throughout the remainder of 2023 and beyond.
Fans across the globe can watch the high-stakes Championship Sunday. The action will be livestreamed on Amazon Prime Video, with coverage kicking off at 10pm ET. With the PPA Tour Atlanta Open about to enter its final day, it's clear that the event is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
