The third PPA Slam event of the season kicks off this week in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a Slam, the tournament will follow a progressive draw format, with each division playing one round per day.
Battle of the Boomstiks
Tama Shimabukuro has been making headlines this past week after defeating Tyler Loong in singles and mixed doubles at the PPA Fukuoka event. Over the weekend, the 14-year-old Shimabukuro signed a deal with the PPA Tour, making the Cincinnati event his first as a contracted pro.
Shimabukuro teams up with rising Selkirk talent, AJ Marrero, in the main draw after battling through qualifiers earlier today. Their first test will be former pro tennis stars Jack Sock and Donald Young in the round of 64 on Championship Court. The three Selkirk athletes will be wielding the new Selkirk Boomstik paddle as they look to advance to the round of 32.
Rohrabacher, Jansen form a new partnership for the No. 3 spot
Rachel Rohrabacher returns after missing the last PPA event in Las Vegas, pairing up with tour veteran Lea Jansen for a promising first-time partnership. Rohrabacher has been on a hot streak in women’s doubles, most recently claiming silver with Jorja Johnson in Bristol.
On the mixed side, Rohrabacher will once again team up with Noe Khlif for their second appearance together. The duo made a quarterfinal run at the Bristol Open, notching impressive wins over Lucy Kovalova/Matt Wright and Jessie Irvine/Gabe Tardio before falling to JW and Jorja Johnson. Rohrabacher and Khlif will kick things off by taking on the winner of a qualifier versus Mya Bui/Mota Alhouni matchup.
Sock looks for gold in singles
Jack Sock snags the No. 9 seed and will face Stephen Madonia in the round of 64. Sock has continued to elevate his singles game as the season has progressed, most recently reaching the semifinals in Las Vegas, where he fell to eventual champion John Lucian Goins.
With the Boomstik in hand and his newfound "Boomstik backhand", Sock has the potential to set up a clash with PPA newcomer Chris Haworth in the round of 16.
Parenteau, Todd run it back
Catherine Parenteau and Parris Todd teamed up for their first time together since their win at the 2023 Tournament of Champions at the Las Vegas PPA. The duo was expected to perform well given their prior success and went on to defeat tough opponents, including the Brascia sisters and the No. 4 seed, Etta Tuionetoa. In the finals, however, they fell to Hurricane Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson, who had taken out the No. 1 seeds, Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright.
In Cincinnati, Parenteau and Todd reclaim the No. 2 seed, with their toughest projected quarterfinal matchup likely coming against the No. 5 team of Allyce Jones and Etta Tuionetoa.
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