Gender doubles action got underway Saturday at the PPA Milwaukee Open. Let’s take a look at what teams were able to advance and punch their ticket to championship Sunday.
Men’s Doubles: Ignatowich/Klinger looking for first PPA golds of 24’
James Ignatowich and CJ Klinger entered the tournament as the #7 seeds but they are able to pull the upset in the quarterfinals again the dangerous Quang Duong and Dylan Frazier in two games. They followed it up with a win over Julian Arnold and Blaine Hovenier in the semifinals. The brand new partnership fit like a glove as Klinger provided a steady presence next to the aggressive left side play of Ignatowich. Both will be looking for their first gold medals of 2024.
On the top half of the draw #1 seeds Federico Staksrud and Gabe Tardio dismantled last week’s winners Riley Newman and Hayden Patriquin in impressive fashion, winning 11-7, 11-0. After dropping game 1 of their semifinal, it was smooth sailing from there as Andrei Daescu and Pablo Tellez seemed to have no answers at the kitchen line for their fast hands and consistent play.
Women’s Doubles: MLP 2023 finals rematch set
Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher didn’t drop a game on Saturday and looked in top form against Allyce Jones and Tyra Black in the semifinals, a team that has given them trouble over the past couple of months. Meanwhile on the bottom half of the draw Jackie and Jade Kawamoto also didn’t drop a game, as they defeated the Brascia sisters comfortably in the semifinals.
It sets up a very interesting final with a lot of history. Bright and Rohrabacher are former MLP teammates of the Orlando Squeeze, having won a title last September against DC. The Kawamoto sisters are also former MLP teammates of the DCPT, having won a title together last November against the Squeeze. We’ll see who gets the better of this matchup in Milwaukee on Sunday.
On the Horizon
Tune into PickleballTV beginning at 2pm EST to catch all the championship Sunday action as men’s doubles kicks off the slate with a best of 5 bout.
